By Mav
February 6 2005

BRUDD OF HEAVEN? Saints are back on their travels in the Heineken Cup this week after an encouraging Christmas period in the Zurich Premiership under the new Stewardship of Anthony Pountney.

Since the “Weekend of the Long Knives”, which saw the removal Alan Solomons as head coach after our desperate loss to Worcester, the club can boast a four out of five record, the only loss being Toulouse away. Wins against Les Toulousain at FG, Bedford, Irish Away and, this week, Leeds at home in foul conditions all point towards a positive outlook for the Green, Black and Gold.

On Saturday, it seemed as though Saruman was aloft, casting his malevolent spells across the sky from his eyrie atop the Express Lifts Tower. But, despite the efforts of the great sorcerer of Orthanc, Saints stood proud. Wind and rain were strewn forth upon Piggy’s Patch and the team was resolute. Not the most convincing victory in the world but another four points in the bag. However, as Worcester and Saracens chalked up wins as well this last weekend, we are still very much in the mix at the wrong end of the Premiership.

So, we have the diversion that is The Heineken Cup in our hopelessly structured season. We know where we stand. Two wins should be enough for qualification. If only life were that easy.

Group Three is as follows:

Toulouse 14

SAINTS 12

Llanelli 11

Glasgow 2

Llanelli are far from out of the equation. A win against Saints at Stradey Park would probably set them up for a winner takes all battle over in France. Were Saints to lose, then our Euro dream is over. Let’s just say it’s a big game.

Back in November, Saints over-powered a poor Llanelli side 25-3 at Franklin’s Gardens, tries from Darren Fox and a brace from Wylie Human doing the damage. It is interesting at this point to read Smurf’s final comments of his match report of the day –

“With performances like this, however, Solly won't have much need for changes.”

So much has changed at the club in such a short time!

Since that day, Llanelli have had mixed fortunes. They lie only mid table in the Celtic League but do boast an encouraging two from three record over the last three weeks. Their injury time victory over The Dragons on New Year’s Day could be just the confidence boost they need.

On Thursday, Saints announced the following squad for the trip to Wales…

15 BRUCE REIHANA
14 John Rudd
13 BEN COHEN
12 Marc Stcherbina
11 Wylie Human
10 PAUL GRAYSON
9 Johnny Howard
1 Chris Budgen
2 STEVE THOMPSON (capt)
3 ROBBIE MORRIS
4 Grant Seely
5 Matt Lord
6 ANDREW BLOWERS
7 CORNE KRIGE
8 Mark Soden

16 Dan Richmond
17 Brett Sturgess
18 Damien Browne
19 Darren Fox
20 Ben Jones
21 Shane Drahm
22 Mark Tucker

Obvious changes from the side originally announced to play Leeds last week see no role to play for the new boys, Simon Emms and Ross Beattie, who are not registered for the competition. Mark Robinson’s injury means Johnny Howard retains his place at scrum-half with young Ben Jones as back up.

On the bench, Mark Tucker comes into the picture in place of Neil Starling (selected, along with Andy Vilk in England 7s squad for their forthcoming jaunt to Wellington and Los Angeles).

At the time of writing, Scarlets have named only a provisional line up…

15 Garan Evans, 14 Aisea Havili, 12 Salesi Finau, 11 Tal Selley, 10 Gareth Bowen, 9 Dwayne Peel, 8 Gavin Thomas, 7 Dafydd Jones, 6 Simon Easterby (captain), 5 Chris Wyatt, 4 Vernon Cooper, 3 John Davies, 2 Matthew Rees, 1 Iestyn Thomas

16 Phillip John, 17 Aled Gravelle, 18 Adam Jones, 19 Andrew Powell, 20 Michael Phillips, 21 Arwel Thomas

It probably won’t be pretty but, hey! what’s new? Saints have rediscovered the winning habit since the change in coaching regime. I’ll take an ugly win by about four if it means keeping our European hopes alive. Any flair we see from the likes of Rudd, Wylie or Ben in this must-win game would be an added bonus.