By Chris G
May 31 2002

Well here we go again! The Saints travel down to the Memrial Ground on Saturday for the second time in a month hoping to secure a pace at Twickenham on June 8th in the Zurich Championship Final. Dean Ryans Bristol stand in their way. PREVIEW

With a European Cup place already in the bag the pressure is somewhat off the Saints but its Bristol who have it all to play for. Despite coming eighth in the league the 'Shoguns' can secure a Heineken place of their own and a long awaited trip to HQ. For the Saints they play just for the plaesure of taking the Gold, Black n Green army back to Twickers to exorcise some Powergen ghosts.

Thats not to say however that they are taking this lightly. Smudger has named the strongest side available with just Jorgy, Actionman Ackerman and Ben Cohen mising through injury from the first choice lineup.

Utility back (he'll be glad to shake that tag) Archie Brooks starts on Bens wing while Mark Tucker partners John Leslie again in midfield.
Jon Phillips continues his second row alliance with Ollie Brouzet in the second row in place of Actionman. Ollie could, if the Saints do not prevail, be making his last appearance (for now) in a Northampton shirt.

Saints team:

15 Nick Beal
14 Craig Moir
13 Mark Tucker
12 John Leslie
11 James Brooks
10 Paul Grayson
9 Matt Dawson
1 Tom Smith
2 Steve Thompson
3 Robbie Morris
4 Jon Phillips
5 Olivier Brouzet
6 Andrew Blowers
7 Budge Pountney (capt)
8 Grant Seely

Replacements:
16 Dan Richmond
17 Matt Stewart
18 Rob Hunter
19 Mark Soden
20 Dom Malone
21 Tom Kirk
22 Joe Shaw

The team, though strong, will have to be at their best to come away with a result. With their whole season at stake Bristol will no doubt come out with all their abrasive guns firing, Gardens favourite Mr Archer no doubt to the fore. Archer and Wee Tams lovechild Andrew Sheridan will form an up and at em partnership in the second row which will no doubt take no prisoners and the Saints must be prepared to battle it out toe to toe and in particular not allow Mr Archers well documented antics to get under their skin again.
The ape impression at the last game and the puerile urination impression on the Gardens turf do nothing to engender warm feelings towards the chap.

However Bristol are not just all brute force and fisticuffs. In Pichot and Contempomi they have a half back pairing on fire and they would both walk into most Premiership sides. A glut of youngsters, including the impressive Christophers, are coming through adding speed to a backline finally finding their feet under the tutelage of old Aussie warhorse Jason Little.

However impressive both sides are though it could be the conditions that play a major part in proceedings. There have been reports that there could be heavy showers in the Bristol area tomorrow which could cause havoc on a pitch described by a Bristol correspondent (hello Duncan) as more sand than grass.

Lets hope not because this game if the Saints do indeed go for it could be a cracker with no quarter asked or given.

Game on!