NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs. SALE SHARKS

AP: Saturday, 18th February 2012 - 3pm (No TV!)

FRANKLIN'S GARDENS

MATCH PREVIEW

This weekend we find ourselves reaching the mid-point in the dreaded Six Nations period of the Aviva Premiership season. In years gone by, particularly last time out, Northampton have failed to cope with the loss of key members of the side disappearing for 6 weeks to represent their country. The question is, have we learnt from previous years mistakes? Has the strength in depth of our squad improved to cope with the missing players? Has our recruitment been a success? Thus far, it is hard to give a definitive answer to those questions, as although the performances have been markedly better than this time last year, we are no better off in terms of league points. Last season heading into Round 15, the Saints found themselves fifth in the league table with 39 points – whereas this season they sit in third with only 37 points – a staggering 14 points behind league leaders Harlequins.

If you compare the side that took to the field against Gloucester a year ago, there are some noticeable differences in personnel, with players such as Dan Vickerman, Bruce Reihana, Ryan Powell and Mark Easter no longer at the club, whilst Phil Dowson has finally earned a well-deserved England call up. However, whilst there may be many players that have moved on, they have largely been replaced with more creative and attack-minded players. The arrival of George Pisi and Vasily Artemyev has certainly galvanised the way in which Northampton use the ball in attack, whilst players such as Samu Manoa and Paul Doran-Jones have helped to create an even more physical presence up front. In this period last season the Saints method of attack was largely predictable, albeit usually very reliable, and it was this lack of creativity and cutting edge that was blamed for the drastic downturn in Northampton’s mid-season form. With Pisi and Artemyev in the backline, the emphasis on counter-attacking rugby from Ben Foden and Chris Ashton is less vital. Instead, Northampton have been varying their attack method, using James Downey to crash the ball up for assured possession and gain-line success when necessary, and then using George Pisi’s handling and step to threaten in the outside channels.

However, it is not simply the new additions to the squad that will hopefully be making the difference to Northampton’s results throughout this period; it is also the very pleasing development of some of the club’s younger players, as well as some of the Saints’ academy prospects. This season has seen the emergence of academy players Mikey Haywood, Jamie Elliott and Ben Nutley, all of whom have been enjoying a considerable amount of game-time and have seen their development increased because of it. Their tally for minutes in a Saints jersey will only continue through the Six Nations period, and by the time their international team-mates return, hopefully they will have staked a large enough claim to keep the jersey for their own.

Putting my cynical hat on, and playing devil’s advocate – looking at the forward pack from this period last season compared with this, and there aren’t too many noticeable differences. Last season we were able to draw upon experienced international Dan Vickerman as cover for Courtney Lawes, whilst we still had Phil Dowson available throughout the period. Granted, we were also missing Roger Wilson, but we had experienced cover in the form of Mark Easter. Given this, who is to say we will fare any better this season than last in terms of forward play?

Who is to say? I am to say. This season our props are fresher, with Alex Waller, Paul Doran-Jones and Tom Mercey sharing far more game-time with Soane Tonga’uiha and Brian Mujati – not to mention Waller’s massive improvements since last season. Mark Sorenson has stepped up his contribution and Christian Day (with a new contract in his back pocket) is coming back to full fitness after a long lay-off, and thus should have plenty left in his tank for the remainder of the season. Samu Manoa (another with the ink freshly dried) contributes more around the field than Vickerman managed – no offence to the Aussie, he gave his all, but was probably lacking in fitness. Calum Clark is another year along his development, and has improved so much so that he has made Stuart Lancaster’s EPS selection. Roger Wilson is available, and in top form – plus he will be giving even more than usual, wanting to leave Franklin’s Gardens with a winners medal before heading back to Ulster. In short, although we may have different personnel in the pack, we have increased ability in terms of depth, as well as more experience and extra motivation.

On Saturday, if we are to overcome a very strong Sale side, then we need a very, very big performance from our forwards, with ball retention and possession crucial to grinding out the result. We must also produce quick enough ball to make use of the pace of Pisi, Artemyev and Diggin out in the wider channels.

What of Sale themselves then? Steve Diamond’s men currently lie 3 points adrift of Northampton in sixth position. Following a good start to the season, the former Premiership champions have been largely inconsistent, turning in good performances at home, whilst failing to impress on the road. The lack of consistency can hardly be surprising given the number of comings and goings from last season to this, with Diamond leading a complete overhaul of the club from top to bottom. Diamond’s input has instilled a new ethos across the club, with brutal honesty being a key feature across all levels – if you’re not performing, Diamond will let you know. Sale have a large number of extremely talented players across all positions, and have recently been buoyed by the return to fitness of their top prop Andrew Sheridan. His return should certainly firm up the shaky Sale scrum that came under heavy fire during the Saints’ visit to Edgeley Park earlier this season. The prospect of seeing Tonga’uiha, Long and Mujati go head to head with Sheridan, Marc Jones and Irishman Tony Buckley is particularly exciting. The Saints are renowned as a tough scrummaging side, and Sale will need a top performance from Sheridan to keep Mujati and Co from shunting the Sale scrum backwards on Saturday.

Even despite losing Charlie Hodgson to Saracens over the summer, the Sharks still play an attractive brand of rugby, with fast, hard-running backs cutting good angles supported by good support lines from back-rowers such as James Gaskell and David Seymour, not to mention former Saintsman Mark Easter. The most recent unfortunate injury to England International Hendrie Fourie is a positive for Northampton, as the back-row is a ferocious ball-carrier and a menace at the breakdown. Nevertheless, Dave Seymour is a more than capable replacement and will be looking to slow down Northampton ball all afternoon long. Captain Sam Tuitupou leads the Sale attack from Inside Centre and is sure to keep James Downey or Tom May busy in defence, whilst also looking to offload outside to the pace of Mark Cueto, Rob Miller and Tom Brady. Miller in particular has been enjoying a fantastic season, topping his club’s try scoring charts with 5 tries in 13 appearances.

In terms of the Saints likely line-up for this Saturday, there are a number of possibilities. For one, Courtney Lawes and Calum Clark could have been made available for selection once more, as has Paul Doran-Jones who had been called up as injury cover for David Wilson. Considering the released EPS players, we are likely to see an unchanged pack to that which ran out against Gloucester last weekend. There are only three contentious selection decisions to be made: 1. Who will come in to replace the (presumed) injured Jamie Elliott? It is likely to be a toss-up between Noah Cato and Scott Armstrong, once again depending on injuries. Failing that, we could see Greig Tonks restored to the starting line-up at 15, with Paul Diggin moving to the wing – or we could even  perhaps see exciting academy prospect Anders Mogenson make the step up to the starting line-up. 2. Will Ryan Lamb retain his place in the side, or will Stephen Myler slot back in? 3. Will Tom May get a start at 12 instead of the ever reliable James Downey? The latter two of those questions will largely determine how Northampton attempt to defeat Sale.

If Northampton are to come out on top at Franklins Gardens on Saturday, they must be clinical, powerful and abrasive. Sale are a side that can hurt you from anywhere if you let them, and they can be difficult to break down. However, beyond their front row, their pack is lightweight, and this may be an area for the Saints to attack, using big ball carriers to hit them hard and shunt them backwards, then shipping the ball wide when enough defenders are sucked in. Ball retention is key, Sale are a good side when it comes to spoiling fast ball.

Hopefully by Saturday evening the Saints can consolidate their place in the playoffs with a good win. Let’s be there to make sure they receive the support they deserve! Come on you Saints.

Saints by 8.

Sat 18 Feb, 3.00pm: Sale Sharks
DaventrySaint’s Predicted Team:

15 Paul Diggin
14 Vasily Artemyev
13 George Pisi
12 James Downey
11 Scott Armstrong
10 Stephen Myler
9 Martin Roberts
1 Soane Tonga’uhia
2 Andy Long
3 Brian Mujati
4 Samu Manoa
5 Christian Day
6 Courtney Lawes
7 Calum Clark
8 Roger Wilson

Replacements: 16 Mikey Haywood, 17 Alex Waller, 18 Paul Doran-Jones, 19 Mark Sorenson, 20 Ben Nutley, 21 Ryan Glynn, 22 Ryan Lamb, 23 Tom May

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