By Richard Lindsley
February 4 2010

Northampton Saints welcome Leicester Tigers to Piggy's Patch this Saturday in the final round of group matches in the 2009/10 LV= Cup. Regular COYSDC contributor Rich Lindsley peers into the tea-leaves and looks forward to the weekend's action...

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs. LEICESTER TIGERS

LV= CUP: Saturday, 6^th February, 2010 – 3pm

FRANKLIN’S GARDENS

MATCH PREVIEW

The Aussies, it’s said, believe that there are only two important matches in the world cup, the semi-final and the final. The same is highly true of the Loved Up Anglo Welsh malarkey, except perhaps this weekend. For on Saturday the East Midlands bragging rights are once again up for grabs.

I love the East Midlands derby and whilst it’s probably still true that it means more to us than them, there is no doubt that this is one of the most anticipated encounters of the season. Forget that some view this as a Mickey Mouse cup. Forget that both teams are seriously weakened by international call-ups. The players will want to win this badly not just for local pride but because both sides have a chance to progress to that all-important semi-final.

For the Saints the picture is straightforward, win the match, and they’re in the semis. For Tigers it’s a bit more tricky and even a good win could have them looking over their shoulders at other results.

So what sort of teams can we expect? Well Saints are definitely without Hartley, Lawes, Foden, Gray and Murray but there is a strong rumour that Ashton is made available. Quite what the Snake Charmer thinks of his experience with England so far is anybody’s guess. I’d expect that publicly he will be thrilled to involved at that level but privately he must be wondering what happens between being called up and then sent back again. England’s loss is very much the Saints gain. Finally it’s hoped that all three high profile leavers will be involved on Saturday. I intend to enjoy every last minute left in the Franklin’s Gardens careers of Best, Kruger and Tonga’uiha, it’s a shame to see them go but they still have a big part to play in a potentially brilliant season. If all that’s true then the side predicted below looks very capable indeed.

Possible Saints side:

Reihana
Ashton
Ansbro
Downey
Diggin
Myler
Dickson
Tonga'uiha
Sharman
Mujati
Lobbe
Kruger
Best
Easter
Wilson

For Tigers, it is believed that Richard Cockerill intends to stick with the side that thrashed Bath 27-11 at Welford Road. Tigers probably wrote the book on strength in depth and as per usual that side are nobody’s mugs. There’s a real blend of youth, experience, power and pace plus the usual Tigerish standards in the set pieces. It won’t be easy!

Probable Tigers team:

Amorosino

Tuilagi

Twelvetrees

Mauger (c)

Smith

Vesty

Ellis

Stankovich

Duffey

White

Green

Kay

Pienaar

Woods

Deacon

So we arrive at the tricky point in the match preview, the predicted result. Well this born and bred Northamptonian is genetically programmed to see it only one-way…Saints by 12! That outrageous prediction is based on several hard facts, Saints rarely lose at the Gardens and have lost only once in the last 12 matches. I also think this is the best chance of some silverware this season, so the kitchen sink will be thrown at our nearest and dearest.

To the players, management, support staff and supporters of Leicester Tigers, we say welcome to Franklin’s Gardens, enjoy your stay but leave us with the points!

News: LV= Cup: Northampton Saints vs Leicester - Preview

Discussion started by ComeOnYouSaints.com , 04/02/2010 17:16

ComeOnYouSaints.com
04/02/2010 17:16

What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.

Reply Quote Report

Phil.
04/02/2010 17:26

Nice one, Rich.

Many thanks!

Reply Quote Report

Saint Tim
04/02/2010 17:27

Well done Rich!



“Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one.”

Benjamin Franklin

Tetleys Block F E143

Reply Quote Report

Saint Dom in Hanoi
04/02/2010 17:41

A ggod read - Oh, to win those bragging rights one more time.

48 hours to go...


*I could agree with you - but then we'd both be wrong...*

Reply Quote Report

Saint.Kenneth
04/02/2010 18:08

In light of what was said at the beginning of the week about the importance of articles like that on our site and how it helps keep this site active, I'd like to thank you Richard and all the other regular contributors that publish on here.

Up to the usual high standards Richard, just hope the team is as well.

Reply Quote Report

ra
04/02/2010 18:15

Quote:

the usual Tigerish standards in the set pieces.

as someone who saw our lineout last weekend I don't think you have too much to worry about re. our set pieces (though I'm hoping another weeks practice has improved things somewhat).

Reply Quote Report

Tiggs
04/02/2010 19:19

Someone seems to have forgotten a certain Mr.Tuqiri ?

Reply Quote Report

Wee Jim
04/02/2010 19:28

Good stuff - Bring on the bragging rights

Reply Quote Report

Saint Dom in Hanoi
04/02/2010 19:30

Hello Tiggs.

Do you mean Lote Tuqiri, who is going to join the other Tigers in the other code (RL)?

Surely, he will be banned sine die for crossing over to the dark side!

Reply Quote Report

StBleach
04/02/2010 19:40

Nice job - do you remember writing this epic that I just sumbled across,,, Link

"By Rich
November 7 2002
Despite the early kick off this East Midlands derby promises to be an exciting encounter. Whilst the home union players are away for the autumn internationals both teams can rely on quality southern hemisphere players such as Blowers, Connors, Kronfeld, Kafer and new boy Bruce Reihana. "

( Im assuming you are 'Rich ' )

Reply Quote Report

St.Rich Joe, Niamh and Sam's Dad
04/02/2010 19:43

No Tiggs I just believed your DOR, don't you?

No alcohol for January. I'm a dryathlete in aid of cancer research.

Dryathlon

Reply Quote Report

St.Rich Joe, Niamh and Sam's Dad
04/02/2010 19:47

Bleach I've written a few East Midlands derby previews. I once banged on about us being the equivalent to Man City if they were Man Utd, or Everton if they were Liverpool. That's still true!
































The interesting supporters prefer City or Everton

No alcohol for January. I'm a dryathlete in aid of cancer research.

Dryathlon

Reply Quote Report

Saint Dom in Hanoi
04/02/2010 19:55

I always think of glitzy Sequins or Pests as analagous to the Man Ure culture.

Bath are a bit like Leeds United - once great, but fallen on hard times...

Tigers, though, are a sort of fusion between Liverpool and Newcastle: traditional, loads of heritage but, ultimately, perhaps, a little bit self important.

Like Tigger...

Reply Quote Report

Alan B
04/02/2010 20:42

Rich

i saw Geordan Murphy on the leicester london train on Wednesday and under strict questioning he admitted to be a returnee on saturday-whether he starts i don't know

sorry this info' offers all assistance short of real help

Reply Quote Report

St.Rich Joe, Niamh and Sam's Dad
04/02/2010 20:45

Oh well the teams thing is just a guess so it doesn't really matter

No alcohol for January. I'm a dryathlete in aid of cancer research.

Dryathlon

Reply Quote Report

Biggysaint
04/02/2010 21:08

Ummm... Rich. Just what did you mean at the end of your preview when you said "enjoy your stay but leave us with the points!"

You are either most generous to our venerable opposition by inviting them to leave FG with the points or, saying to Tigs thanks for coming ......and allowing us to win.

I wonder which you meant............

Reply Quote Report

Saint Dom in Hanoi
04/02/2010 21:33

I think we all know what Rich means.

Have a good time at FG, you Tiggs - but leave the points in our safe and deserving hands...


*I could agree with you - but then we'd both be wrong...*

Reply Quote Report

Tiggs
04/02/2010 22:52

I hope for a good game for all, but at £5k a week, I would hope Tuqiri plays every game available ?
Of course Saints are very much favourites though !

Reply Quote Report

Stopsy
05/02/2010 10:22

Thanks Rich and boo hiss to all things Saintly for the next 48 hours

Reply Quote Report

SimW
05/02/2010 10:47

We're going to struggle in the lineout as Kay is our only available specialist 2nd row. Green has been called up to England U20s (or whatever it is nowadays)

Reply Quote Report

East Midlands
22/02/2010 08:14

Thank for sharing good and useful information. This information is very valuable.

Regards.
<a href= [www.cooperburns.co.uk] Midlands</a>

Reply Quote Report

Goto: Forum List•Message List•Search• Log In

Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.

We record all IP addresses on the Sportnetwork message boards which may be required by the authorities in case of defamatory or abusive comment. We seek to monitor the Message Boards at regular intervals. We do not associate Sportnetwork with any of the comments and do not take responsibility for any statements or opinions expressed on the Message Boards. If you have any cause for concern over any material posted here please let us know as soon as possible by e-mailing abuse@sportnetwork.net