News: Gloucester vs Northampton Saints Preview

by SAINT_aitch November 24th 2008

Before I get into the detail for this preview, I must stress that, despite the fact I enjoy writing previews and reports for COYS, for various reasons, this will be my first visit to Kingsholm and although I will focus on the potential for both sides and my thoughts on the outcome of this clash, I would ask for some tolerance with regard to the detail of this historic club and institution. There, that’s the excuses done.

The last time Saints visited Glaws was in September 2006 when, despite a fairly even first half, we came away in 2^nd place losing 28 – 7. There was a lot to be said for that game, as we had a few injuries in the team and Saints managed to cross the whitewash first with a try from David Quinlan, after that it was all Cherry & White’s game.

This time we return to Kingsholm with a different team and an away record in shambles. Whilst there may be a lot of hope for what the new team will be capable of in the future, this away record malarkey is causing even the most optimistic of us to cringe at the thought of playing a side who, so far this season have won 9 out of 12 games in all competitions and in the GP have won 3 from 4 at home – Maybe there is a chance there after all as their results do not paint the picture of a side currently 3^rd in the Premiership!

We all know that Glaws are a team never to be taken lightly. The perpetual top 4 team that they are and always to be considered as potential play off candidates, they always appear not to be able to deliver at the end of the season after consolidating their position through the course of the year.

GLOUCESTER vs NORTHAMPTON SAINTS

Saturday, 29^th November 2008. 4.30pm

KINGSHOLM ROAD

MATCH PREVIEW

Saints will be buoyed by the cracking game served up in the second half of last weeks home clash with table topping Bath and I for one am hoping that the hunger, passion and enthusiasm we saw on the pitch in that final 40 will now be on offer for 80 minutes for the remainder of games home and away this season. We will certainly need to be on our guard at Kingsholm as there are some star quality players available to Glaws with particular danger men in the likes of Ryan Lamb, Olly Morgan, Luke Narraway, Carlos Nieto, Akapusi Qera, James Simpson-Daniel, and the old war horse Mike Tindall to name but a few but Saints performance last week has given this reporter a new spring in the step and renewed confidence. Would it be too bold to say that the Saints players setup from last weeks game is now spot on? Dare I say that the guys are in their best, most efficient positions now? Well I’m not fully convinced.

I’d still like to see Brooce at Full Back knowing he shows composure under the high ball, will run a direct line back into play and is powerful enough to back it up but Smyler did a great job last week and I applaud him for that, and oh that drop goal mmmmm! And we are still without Sean, Dylan, Euan, Clarkey, and Neil Best as well, one or two of whom may be available for this match. In fact if there were any criticism from the Bath game, its that our pack were pushed around too much so the sooner we can get Dyl and Euan back the better.

So what of our hosts this weekend then? Well, if my information is correct, historically, there are no draws between our two teams and in 20 matches Glaws have won 12 of them although rather ironically, Saints have scored 39 tries, to Glaws 38, we have kicked 30 conversions to their 25, we have kicked a further 53 penalties to their 48, and scored a total of 417 points to their 399 so stats wise we are ahead already!

Gloucester is another of the ‘Real’ English rugby grounds and I for one am really excited about my first visit there. The tradition of the Shed is one that is synonymous within club rugby in England, with their passion and their enthusiasm. I also like the fact that the supporters are very keen on keeping the traditional club they know and love and that we are all likely to hear booing this week after each Glaws score (should they happen to score of course!) as the fans show their lack of appreciation for the Sarries/Sale type celebratory music played as if it is somehow announcing to the crowd that their team has scored, well of course, all of the Glaws fans were looking the other way and didn’t see the score did they! Let’s all assist the Glaws fans in booing if/when they cross the white wash next week then shall we?

All that aside, Gloucester had a bad start to their Premiership season losing to Tiggers in their first home match, redeeming themselves the following week with an unconvincing win away at Bath and just holding off Quins at home the week after, they then suffered a bad loss away at Sale followed by a BP win over Newcastle at home but gifting the Falcons with 23 points in the process. Even other competitions have not been comprehensive with very close wins over the current whipping boys, Wasps and away to Falcons in the EDF and struggling in a very hard group in their Heineken Cup campaign. Their recent form in the GP has seen them win away to Sarries (something we are yet to do) and last week at home to Bristol who, as we all know, went to Kingsholm on the back of their first win of their GP season.

All in all, this match has the makings of another edge of the seat game with two sides eager to make their mark. Saints of course, have it all to prove as we still seek the elusive away win in the prem. Gloucester will be looking to take first place in the league with an emphatic win at home with both Bath and Irish away this weekend, albeit the Irish are at the Mem, but Bath are away at Quins which could be a harder test for them.

Team and score Predictions:

Based purely on the thoroughly enjoyable second half of last weeks match, I will be pleased to see very little change in the line up from that game so my team selection looks something like this:

15 –Smyler

14 – Flash

13 – Brooce

12 – Downey

11 – Digger

10 – Los

9 – Foden

1 – Wee Tam

2 – Gray

3 – Stewart

4 – Naco

5 – Freddie

6 – Hoppers

7 – Bunny

8 – Wilson

With Tiny, Shieldsy, Day, Euan (if back) and Nils getting a run out. If it ain’t broke, don’t try and fix it.

With all this in mind, I am going to stick my neck out and predict a Saints win this weekend. I know the opposition is tough, I know we are yet to win on the road in the prem, I know we have players on international duty and injured, but last weekends performance (well, at least the second half) set a benchmark for what we are expecting to see from the Saintsmen, and I for one, firmly believe that we are finding our groove and will be a match for any team very soon. Added to that Gloucester’s not totally convincing record to date this season and I can see a shock coming here.

Glaws 23 – 28 Saints

Come on you Saints.

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