By Jim Bruce
November 10 2006

After a successful SWH walk and a good win against the Borders, Northampton Saints seemed to get their charities confused when they visited the Stoop last weekend. An out of sorts team gifted five precious points to a determined and well organised Harlequins and the post match comments spoke of a lack of desire or complacency.

 

 

GUINNESS PREMIERSHIP PREVIEW

 

WORCESTER WARRIORS vs. NORTHAMPTON SAINTS

 

Sixways – Saturday, 11^th November 2006. 3pm

 

 

The Northampton Saints Charity heads to Sixways 

 

Whatever it was it needs to be sorted for the trip to Sixways this weekend, otherwise the Saints special charity for struggling premiership clubs will see another donation of points, this time to Worcester’s cause.

Our hosts have made an awkward start to the Premiership and a yet to gain a win. They humbled Saint when they visited Franklins Gardens for the EDF cup earlier in the season and will see that as an encouragement for what is a must win game for them.

Hold on though as it’s rapidly becoming a must win game for the Saints too as a loss will see them keeping Worcester and Harlequins company at the bottom of the table while the top half starts to slip out of reach.  Last season it was a narrow away win at Sixways that helped restart Saints poor season and any sort of win on Saturday is vital for Saints. They’ve yet to win on the road this season and it’s high time we were given a “first” rather than being so generous to our fellow clubs.

How likely is that first away win likely to be at Sixways? A difficult question to answer unless you can answer that perennial Saints question – which team will turn up? If they play like they did at the Stoop it will be another thumping and some very happy home supporters. Heaven knows what will then happen on this message board! Lets not travel in despair though there’s room for hope – Saints played some great rugby away at Biarritz and the first half at Kingsholm suggests they have it in them to compete on some else’s turf. The forwards are rejuvenated this season and their unyielding stance is giving the likes of Sharky to show what he can do behind a pack going forwards. Its no surprise he is one of the stand out men in the squad and is playing with plenty of passion and zip. Last season the pack was a weakness but the back line was looking good. Unfortunately as much as the forwards have risen, the backline has fallen. Injuries have deprived them of some key personnel and international duty depletes the availability further.  However that’s no excuse for the disorganised defence and flat lateral “attack” that was on display at the Stoop. Talk of a lack of desire should spur the team so who will be demonstrating they know what it means to wear the green black and gold this weekend?

Northampton Saints

15 Ian Vass
14 Johnny Howard
13 Rhodri Davies
12 DAVID QUINLAN
11 Chris Wyles
10 CARLOS SPENCER
9 MARK ROBINSON
1 TOM SMITH
2 STEVE THOMPSON
3 Pat Barnard
4 Damien Browne
5 DAVID GERARD
6 PAUL TUPAI
7 Darren Fox (capt)
8 Mark Easter

16 Dylan Hartley
17 SOANE TONGA’UIHA
18 Matt Lord
19 Daniel Browne
20 Paul Diggin
21 VAUGHAN GOING
22 Rob Laird

 

Paul Grayson makes five changes to the side. Myring was struck by the curse of the centres and his injury sees Quinlan make a welcome return to partner Rhodri at centre. Big David Gerard gets another start as the pack goes for bulk and so should be looking for the edge at the breakdowns and set pieces. If extra bulk is needed Sonae Tonga’uiha is on the bench and I for one will hope he gets a run out. International call ups for Cohen and Lamont sees Howard joining Chris Wyles on the wings. As an aside one hopes Lamont sees more of the ball for Scotland than he’s seen of late for Saints! The backs remain something of a worry as they are by no means a settled unit and that’s one thing our resident magician Carlos Spencer really needs to be able strut his stuff. The return of Quinlan goes someway to addressing that and with Laird and Going on the bench there are options to try and in this instance an experienced back like Going is an asset.

No news of the team  Worcester will field as yet but it is likely to include our old Saints favourite Shane Drahm. We all know is ability at fly half and he has the kicking game to destroy us. Penalties must be kept to a minimum and the back three will need to look sharp when Drahm kicks for territory. Gillies in the lineout will exploit any mistakes from Saints as if Drahm needed anymore encouragement to kick! Quinnel the younger has load so potential which is hardly surprised considering his pedigree. Considering the impact he made in the EDF cup game he is one to watch out for.

Traditionally I’m supposed to predict the result as a conclusion to this preview but the iconoclast in me declines. With two sides struggling for form I’m just hoping for some good rugby. Yes a narrow win for the Saints is just what we need but if it’s the result between two poor sides slugging it out and some refereeing decision going our way it isn’t quite the same spectacle. The one eyed Saints fan in me want to see a clinical Saints side put a struggling Warriors side to the sword in style reminiscent of the Saracens game last season. If Warriors rouse themselves and play Saints of the park, so be it. Ill be quite pleased to see one of our favourite clubs ease relegation worries somewhat.  I enjoy Sixways and the Warriors and I know Ill enjoy the trip.

It’s a weekend out and away from the office – got to be good fun whatever happens on the pitch!

Oh and if we do lose can Saints ask for charitable status?