By Ben & Mav
December 2 2004

Bien, Ici nous allons encore.... (Well, Here we go again…) As the former Heineken Cup champions travel to Franklin’s Gardens for the second time in three years, we cannot help but think about both teams position in their respective leagues.

However, the next fortnight is about Europe, 24 teams, 6 pools, 36 fixtures and 6 weeks of competitive world-class rugby union (just makes you want to drool doesn’t it). Especially with the big names of our famous sport taking part;. Munster, Gloucester, Bath, Llanelli, Leicester, Biarritz, last years champions London Wasps, and our next opponents in the quest of European glory: Toulouse. Not to mention Saints!

 

Toulouse has won the prestigious championship twice, nearly winning it a third time last year. But a late fumble near injury time meant that Rob Howley could score the final try of his career, and claim glory for London Wasps.

 

The French  “Top 16” shows Toulouse are currently joint second with Bourgoin with 42 points, only 1pt behind the top spot, which is currently held by USAP. Toulouse sneaked a win last weekend 21-20 against Agen but they have had disruption through injury following the weekends international against New Zealand.

 

Last time we played them, we were beaten, in the heart of France 32-16 in the HC QTR finals. But this time its about qualifying for the QTR finals. With both teams having a good history in the HC, it’s hard to say who will become victorious. Northampton became the 3rd different English team to take the trophy home, by beating Munster 9-8 at Twickenham in 2000, which included a climax-of-a-lifetime match win over Llanelli. Last year Llanelli got their revenge  by beating Northampton at home.

 

On the other hand, Toulouse has reached 3 HC finals winning twice. 21-18 against Cardiff in the 95/96 season, once again in 02/03 beating Perpignan 22-17. Last year’s final must have been hard to take for the Toulouse faithful, losing to London Wasps last year 27-20. After a punt down field by Rob Howley (chasing as I speak) was mistakenly left to bounce, hoping it would leave the field of play but, the French fullback left it thinking it would leave the field of play but instead at the last moment Howley had dived onto the ball scoring THAT last minute try, securing the win for current HC champions London Wasps.

 

Europe has been the only positive thing to talk about this season for Northampton, with back to back wins over Glasgow away, and Llanelli at home. Only one point separates Northampton and Toulouse, because of a 5pt win for Toulouse against Glasgow in France. Northampton has scored a total of 38pts in 2 matches and Toulouse has scored 52. But Toulouse’s opener couldn’t have been any closer, beating Llanelli 8-9 deep in the heart of Wales. But cranking up the gears against Glasgow by beating them 43-17. However Northampton’s HC campaign had a jumpy start only beating Glasgow by 13-9 in the mud, and then beating Llanelli 25-3 at the Gardens.

 

 

Glasgow-on-Sea 2004

 

On Wednesday, acting Head Coach, Budge Pountney unveiled his team for the weekend….

15 Bruce Reihana
14 Wylie Human
13 Ben Cohen
12 Marc Stcherbina
11 Jon Clarke
10 Paul Grayson
9 Mark Robinson
1 Chris Budgen
2 Steve Thompson (c)
3 Robbie Morris
4 Matt Lord
5 Damien Browne
6 Mark Soden
7 Corne Krige (v/c)
8 Andew Blowers

 

Obvious changes see Ben Cohen at centre at the expense of Andy Vilk, whilst our new captain, Mr Steve Thompson, takes his place at hooker. By all accounts, at Newcastle, Andy did little wrong but Air Ben must be champing at the bit having only played 7 minutes of competitive rugby in the last three weeks. His presence in the centre against a big French back line may be a factor. Let’s hope we see a captain’s performance from Wally this week. If ever we need to see the Wally of old, rampaging across the park, getting stuck in, in the loose, it is Saturday. Jon Clarke retains his place after scoring the only the of the match against Falcons (pictured above). More of the same please, JC!

  John Clarke

 

Other changes see Damien Browne returning to the first XV and former captain Corne Krige slotting in at Seven. It must have been a difficult choice for  Budge whether to retain Ed O’Donaghue at lock. Damo’s extra bulk may well have been the deciding factor. It’s great to have Blitz back in the starting line-up. Many COYSDC readers had misgivings about his signing in the close season but he has laid his body on the line in the GB&G cause and has earned his true “Saintsman” tag. Grays is again down to start at 10.

 

 

At the time of writing, there is no news of the Toulouse side. Trevor Brennan was thought to be unavailable through injury but some web-sites believe he will make the XV this weekend. What we do know is, there have been many bumps and bruises for our visitors over the last few days. During the international weekend, William Servat needed treatment for an eye injury and stitches in his cheek. The dangerous centre, Clement Poitrenaud, also received eight stitches in a head wound and fly-half Frederic Michalak suffered a bruised knee. What ever team takes the field against Saints on Saturday, it will be a stern test.

 

Who knows what the next fortnight may bring, hopefully a double over former HC champs Toulouse (Luvly-Jubly). Let's hope for all of the Saints fans, that the HC can trigger an all guns-blazing attack on the ZP (to mid-table mediocrity -Mav).

 

My prediction

Saints 20-19 Toulouse, I feel that Northampton have reached that level where they can do the job that we want them to do. With the sacking of Alan Sollomons, the duo of Budge Pountney, and Paul Grayson have been brought into the coaching picture to try and sort our winning drought out. I think our time has come for Northampton to be restored as one of the greatest clubs in Europe.

 

Mav’s prediction

It’s one of those “heart against head” doo-dahs, isn’t it? The head says that we will get beat. And it could be big time if Toulouse fire and we are still in our Autumn hibernation. The heart says, come on boys, you have nothing to lose (no pun intended). Everyone expects Saints to get duffed up by the best side in Europe. Let’s prove them wrong! Play it tight, keep us in the game for a full 80 minutes. I have to go for a Toulouse win but hopefully within a score. However, If I can watch EVERY Saintsman have to drag themselves off the park at “no-side” because they have absolutely nothing left to give for the cause, that will be enough for me.

 

It’s not about the result. Given the Saints’ current crisis, it’s about progress.

 

 

 

 

 

Notes

For this effort it’s about a 70/30 split from Ben and Mav. Ben did most of the Toulouse stuff and Mav did the comments about the Saints side.

 

Many thanks to Touchline from the Falcons site for the use of his pic of JC’s try last week. More of the same, Mr Clarke, make a name for yourself!