EUROPEAN CHALLENGE CUP – SEMI-FINAL

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs. SARACENS

Friday, 1^st May 2009 – 7.45pm

FRANKLIN’S GARDENS

MATCH PREVIEW

…I figured if someone in Moscow can write a match preview, then it was time for someone based in the other superpower to write one too. Sadly, I'm not one for too much comedy, but I'm a closet statto. Hopefully it's not too boring for you all!!

Saints in Europe

The season of 1996/97 was in some ways an important season for Saints. Hot off the back of the first demolition tour, Saints made it in to the first European Conference (same thing that we're in now, just a different name). Back when the French teams took this competition seriously, all seven teams went to the quarter finals. The eighth? Northampton. Sadly, in a home quarter final against Narbonne, Saints went down 22-23.

The following season, Saints didn't make it out the group stages. Several forays in to the main Heineken Cup followed, and I seem to remember that we did quite well one time. The last Saints appearance in the Challenge Cup was in the 2005/06 season, and again they made it in to the quarter finals. Again, they lost, this time 25-34 to Worcester.

This year, Saints made it through as number 2 seeds, winning 6 out of 6, and gaining 5 try scoring bonus points in the process – 37 tries scored, and only 7 conceded for a total of 278 points. A four try, 42-13 victory a few weeks ago against Connacht pushed the Saints bid for Heineken Cup rugby one step closer.

Sarries in Europe

Saracens made their first ERCC appearance in 97/98, not making it through the pool stages. The have been in the competition 6 more times since then, being knocked out in the quarter finals 3 times, and this match makes their 3rd semifinal appearance. Two years ago, they lost by 1 point to Bath, after missing a conversion in the last few minutes.

In the 08/09 pool stages, Sarries scored 17 tries less than Saints, and only got 2 try bonuses in the pool stages, but get this – they only conceded ONE try in the pool stages, and one more against Newcastle. Crossing the whitewash for the Saints may be an issue...

Previous meetings

Any match between Saints and Sarries needs to have a mention of "that" game in February 06, and “that” kick from a certain Mr. Spencer. But, I like to be different. I'm not going to mention the overhead reverse chip kick, the 58-17 win, the four tries by Sean Lamont, and the... oh. Too late I guess. Drifting back out of reverie, and back to this season, the two teams have met 3 times  already, once at the Gardens, and twice at Vicarage Road. In all matches, the home team won. Could this be a good sign?

Previous form

It's a cup match. Why does form matter? Oh, OK... seeing as you asked.

Northampton currently boast one of best home forms of any team in the Premiership, having only lost one match this year. The Saints home form has helped recreate Fortress Franklin's – the Saints have won 33 out of the last 34 matches there. Away form... well... um... check please?

Saracens have a similar home record to Northampton, only losing two home games in the GP this season. Away, their only win came against Bristol. The away form of Sarries looks like it could be another thing pointing to a Saints win.

Saints team prediction

I'm guessing that a strong team will be put out, so without being too predictable, here's what wouldn't surprise me. Pretty much the same as the past few weeks,  but Wee Tam to start in what could be his last match for Saints, and Nacho getting the nod ahead of Courtney. Not too sure on the back row, what with Roger having a crocked ankle, etc. Difficult to see who plays where when you don't live in the country!

15 Foden

14 Diggin

13 Ansbro

12 Downey

11 Reihana

10 Myler

9 Dickson

1 Smith

2 Hartley

3 Murray

4 Lobbe

5 Kruger

6 Best

7 Gray

8 Easter

The End Bit

Looking at all the precedents, things look good for a Saints win. However,  there's one more note of history I want to mention. Despite this being the first European semi-final that Saints have played at home, it's not the first Challenge cup semi to be played at the Gardens. It's also not the first time that Jim Mallinder has been in charge of a team in the Challenge Cup semifinals at the Gardens. In April 2002, Gloucester faced off against Sale in a game that was decided by a Ludovic Mercier missed conversion. Gloucester lost 27-28.

So here's a summary. Translate that as “read this – it's what I said in the rest of the article, so you only need to read this.” Still, it makes good reading!

-         The last ECC semifinal held at Franklin's Gardens had a team managed by Jim Mallinder, who won.

-         The last time Saints were in a “home” semi final in a European competition, it was against Llanelli at the Mad Jet in 2000. Saints won, and we all know what happened next.

-         Previous Saints/Sarries games this year have gone to the home team.

-         Saints' home form is great

-         Sarries' away form isn't

The signs are good... I'm going to say it will be a tight game, with a GP team making through to the final. Yes, I'm comfortable sitting here on the fence., thank you very much.

Oh, OK. Saints by less than one score, in a game that largely features kicks at goal.

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