After last month’s exit from the Powergen Cup at the hands of local rivals Leicester, and with the chances of finishing any higher than mid-table looking increasingly unlikely, the Saints will go into this Friday’s match knowing that anything coming away with anything less than 4 points could spell the end of their European Challenge Cup dreams. The team travels to the Parc des Sports et de l'Amitié on the back of a good win against Narbonne at Franklins Gardens from which they can draw many positives including excellent backrow performances from Ben Lewitt, Sam Harding and Daniel Browne, a vastly reduced penalty count and the return of Bruce’s kicking boots.

However, while last week’s performance in front of the home supporters may have merited a bonus point win, Friday’s match will be a whole different kettle of fish. Whilst the Narbonnais presented very little with which to test the Saints at Franklins Gardens, it would be foolish to underestimate the size of the task that we will face in travelling to France. European teams are renowned for the importance that they place on their home games, and winning away to any French team is notoriously difficult. And who can forget the jubilant scenes the last time that the Saints won in France? The victory came courtesy of a herculean team effort on a rain swept evening in Agen, with Bruce Reihana adding a crucial try to record the Saints their first Heineken Cup win on French soil in six attempts.

On Thursday, Director of Rugby, Budge Pountney revealed his team for Friday's evening's match:

Northampton Saints

15 BRUCE REIHANA (capt)
14 John Rudd
13 Jon Clarke
12 DAVID QUINLAN
11 BEN COHEN
10 Luke Myring
9 Johnny Howard
1 TOM SMITH
2 STEVE THOMPSON
3 Colin Noon
4 Damien Browne
5 DAVID GERARD
6 Ben Lewitt
7 SAM HARDING
8 Daniel Browne

Replacements:

16 Dan Richmond
17 Chris Budgen
18 Matt Lord
19 Darren Fox
20 Dylan Hartley
21 MARK ROBINSON
22 Paul Diggin

After mid-week rumours of an injury crisis, the team have been forced into 4 changes in the backline – Irishman, David Quinlan, returns to the starting line-up at the expense of Rhodri Davies who has been ruled out with a groin strain, and John Rudd replaces Sean Lamont who has failed to shake off an ankle injury that he sustained in last weekend’s match. Mark Robinson drops to the bench to make way for Johnny Howard and a hand injury to mercurial flyhalf, Carlos Spencer, means that ComeOnYouSaints.com’s very own Luke Myring will make his first start of the season in the number 10 shirt.

Elsewhere, Tom Smith makes his return to the Saint’s first fifteen after recovering from a rib injury and a fit again Matt Lord takes his place on the bench. He will be joined academy members, Dylan Hartley and Paul Diggin who will be eager for their chance to impress on the European stage.

So, this weekend will prove to be the acid test – will the team be able to produce the same style of fast flowing rugby as they have been able to under the influence of their catalyst, Carlos Spencer? Or will we adopt a different approach with young Luke at 10? Only time will tell…

The Narbonne team for Friday night will be:

Racing Club Narbonne Méditerranée

15 Nicolas Nadau
14 Pierre-Alain Negre Gauthier
13 Olivier Benassis
12 Lionel Mazars
11 Julien Patay
10 Cedric Rosalen
9 Gregory Mahe
1 Arnaud Martinez
2 Fabien Rofes
3 Franck Tournaire
4 Andrew Springgay
5 Marco Bortolami
6 Lei Tomiki
7 Dwayne Haare
8 Christian Labit

16 Thibaut Algret
17 Jason Hooper
18 Jean-Marie Bisaro
19 David Hunter
20 Laurent Balue
21 Christopher Ruiz
22 Cedric Desbrosse

Whilst the Saints have struggled with injury problems this week, Narbonne have been able to announce a return to fitness of their inspirational no. 8, Christian Labit who was ruled out of last weekend’s home fixture after he failed to recover from an injury of his own. Elsewhere the team remains unchanged except for Olivier Benassis and Lei Tomiki moving up from the bench into the starting line-up.

Well, as is customary in these previews, it’s time for a prediction. During the hours that I have spent gazing intently into my crystal ball, I managed to make out the figure of a mullet wearing prop forward, trotting about the pitch with fists flailing, read into that what you will… “But will we win?” I hear you ask. “Will we come away with the 4 points that we so desperately need if we are to have any chance of qualifying for the Heineken Cup this season?” – the answer? It’s a big ask, Narbonne have a highly impressive home record of seven wins from eight matches, but if (and it’s a big if) we get it right on the night, I believe that we have the talent in our ranks to edge out the French and secure a victory. A tight game, Saints by 3.

Good luck to all our intrepid travellers making the journey to the Parc des Sports et de l'Amitié - Allez les Saints.