Northampton Saints
News: Heineken Cup Final - Saints v Leinster - Match Preview
By Daventry Saint
May 19 2011
Deep breath, try and keep calm. Nope, not working. This is the big one - The Heineken Cup Final. Just 80 short minutes from glory, Northampton Saints travel to The Millennium Stadium, Cardiff this Saturday to face Irish side Leinster for what promises to be a fantastic occasion. Can they do it? Regular COYSDC contributor Daventry Saint looks ahead to the game...
THE HEINEKEN CUP FINAL
NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs LEINSTER
Saturday, 21st May 2011 - 5pm (SKY)
MILLENNIUM STADIUM, CARDIFF
MATCH PREVIEW
This is, without doubt, the most important game of rugby that many of the Northampton Saints players will ever play in. And it is one of the most important games that many Northampton Saints supporters will ever witness.
For us Saints fans, it has been an absolute rollercoaster of a season. It couldn’t have started any better, winning an unprecedented 8 out of the first 9 games in the Aviva Premiership. Add to that an unbeaten start to the Heineken Cup, with victories away at Edinburgh and Cardiff included, and the Saints had set themselves up for what would seem to be a fantastic season. However, it was not to be – well, not in the Premiership anyway. Although the Saints held their form and belief together in the Heineken to travel to Castres and win, as well as a convincing home victory against Edinburgh, Northampton’s fortunes fell away during the middle of the season, with a dip in form leading to a loss of confidence. Couple with that, injuries to key players such as Courtney Lawes and Lee Dickson, as well as the Six Nations depriving them of the services of Chris Ashton, Ben Foden, Tom Wood, Dylan Hartley and Joe Ansbro, and the Saints went on a downward spiral. February turned out to be the month from hell for Northampton, with losses to Saracens, Bath, Gloucester and Exeter Chiefs seeing them sink down the Premiership table and out of the play-offs. As the England internationals returned, the Saints fortunes began to turn, and just in time.
On the horizon was a Heineken Cup game, and a big one. A home
quarter-final against Ulster. Thankfully, by that time Jim Mallinder, Dorian
West and Paul Grayson had slotted the missing England internationals back in
seamlessly, as well as the fit-again Dickson and Lawes. Although many pundits
and opposition supporters credited the Saints turn in form to the returning
internationals, many around the club itself attributed a large part of the
turnaround to Lee Dickson – and this was reflected this week as Lee was named
the Supporters’ Player of the Season for 2010-11.The Ulster game was a perfect
demonstration of what the Saints can do at their best. Within a matter of
minutes, Soane Tonga’uhia demonstrated why he is best loose-head prop in
European rugby at the moment, dotting the ball down and setting the tone of the
afternoon. On that day, the Saints subdued their opponents in the tight, whilst
displaying lethal counter-attacking abilities in broken play.
After Ulster, came the might of Catalonia – Perpignan. The French are notoriously bad travellers, and USAP are probably one of the worst culprits, having never won in England in the Heineken Cup. However Perpignan had almost bucked the trend, earning a hard-fought draw against Leicester in the group stages. This lead many people to believe that perhaps Perpignan had what it took to win in England, with many people tipping them to beat the Saints in the Heineken Cup Semi-Final. Once more, the Saints proved many people wrong. The USAP pack is often lauded as one of the most powerful units in European rugby, spearheaded by their leader and captain at prop, Nicolas Mas. On the 1st of May, the revered Perpignan front 8 were made to look distinctly average by a marauding Saints pack – domination of the break-down and capitulation in the scrum followed for USAP. The Saints dominated, although some would say that Perpignan failed to ‘turn up’. Nevertheless, Northampton found themselves in a Heineken Cup Final.
A lot has been made of Northampton’s seeming lack of strength
in squad depth this season – more so than any other. Many pundits and experts of
the game have written off the Saints chances of winning anything due to this
lack of depth, particularly the lack of impact players on the bench. However,
the Saints have defied the odds, reaching the Premiership Semi-Final and
Heineken Cup Final – but at what cost? During the dip in form in February, there
were opinions flying around that Northampton’s pack were exhausted – run into
the ground from too many 80-minute hauls. Since then, the pack has barely had a
week off – some of them even playing 3 games in the space of a week in April. If
they weren’t exhausted in February, they surely must be now? Add to the fact
that they have just come off the back of an energy sapping, Herculean defensive
performance at Welford Road, and the signs are ominous for the Saints – or so it
would seem.
Pandering to the tag of underdogs? Maybe.
What of Leinster then? Finishing second in the Magners League, they took on Northampton’s previous adversaries Ulster in the Semi-Final of the league, defeating them 18-3 in a tough contest. Although the match wasn’t of the same physical intensity as Northampton’s against Leicester, the game still left a distinct impression on the Irish province’s squad. A number of first-choice players dropped to the floor with an injury all too frequently for on-looking Leinster supporters’ liking. Sean O’Brien was bashed from pillar to post, the entire front row appeared to pick up niggling injuries, whilst talismanic captain Brian O’Driscoll was replaced at half-time for fear of injuring himself further. Doubts have been cast about the fitness of O’Driscoll for Saturday’s game, along with Cian Healey, Richardt Strauss and Mike Ross – although this may simply be elaborate mind-games from the Leinster coaching staff. By all means, Leinster are in good form, having not lost since the start of April. On that occasion they fell to the might of Munster at Thomond Park, although only by a point – an achievement in itself.
Their team is littered with Irish internationals, as well as recent British and Irish Lions – something which the Saints side does not boast in any capacity. Their front 3 has been solidified in recent times with the emergence of Cian Healey coupled with the arrival of Mike Ross from Harlequins. However, a doubt still lingers in neutral minds as to the strength of the front-row when put under considerable pressure in the scrum – something which Northampton must target if they are to win. The back-row is dangerous. The ball-carrying and offloading abilities of O’Brien and Jamie Heaslip are enviable, and Shane Jennings work on the floor exemplary. Northampton will have their work cut out in nullifying the threat that Leinster’s 6, 7 and 8 pose. The backline is lethal – guided by the steady hand of Eoin Reddan and set alight by the vision and skill of Jonathan Sexton, the back division poses a number of threats, and that is without even mentioning the might of Brian O’Driscoll. Defying his age, the outside centre is everything a rugby player should be: Committed, feisty, aggressive, passionate, exciting, inspirational – but above all, a sportsman. If Northampton are to win, they have to close O’Driscoll out of the game – no mean feat.
Northampton’s line-up is likely to be almost identical to that which started at Welford Road on Saturday – injuries permitting. The forward pack will certainly be the same, with Tom Wood still missing with a fractured leg. There may be one change in the backline, with Bruce Reihana possibly making way for Paul Diggin or Joe Ansbro, however the Saints management may wish to stick with Reihana for his experience.
How do Northampton overcome the might of Leinster then? Quite
simply, the Saints must dominate the scrum at all costs. With a steady platform
to attack from, Leinster may be lethal. The breakdown will be keenly contested,
and Northampton must stop O’Brien, Heaslip and Jennings from dominating this
aspect of the game. Put Leinster on the back-foot by competing in numbers at the
breakdown, whilst securing fast ball for Dickson to supply the backs with, and
Northampton have half a chance. The Saints must also counter-attack at every
opportunity. Sexton’s territorial kicking is good, however there are always
loose kicks on these occasions. Ben Foden needs to be at his line-breaking best,
and Chris Ashton must be on the shoulder of every Saints player making a break.
If Tonga’uhia, Dylan Hartley and Brian Mujati can punish the Leinster scrum and
eek penalties, then Stephen Myler must kick everything offered to him. With no
wind inside the stadium to put him off, this will be a true test of Myler’s
place kicking credentials.
The game is not expected to be a sell-out, with a small number of tickets still available. However, it has been confirmed that the roof will be on at the Millennium Stadium, thus the atmosphere will be something rather special. The pitch itself is on the large side, something that is likely to pander to both teams preferred game-plan, with Leinster looking to attack through their backs, with Jonny Sexton poking them forward with astute and precise tactical kicking. The Saints will play as they always play, with thunderous ball-carrying through the middle of the park from the forwards, followed by a third or fourth phase break from a member of the back three, coming onto the ball at blistering pace and cutting a line that few would think of – call it one-dimensional, call it predictable, call it whatever you want. I call it winning.
From a personal perspective, I do have the belief that we can
win this. Just like Munster in 2000, most people are expecting Leinster to
simply turn up and walk all over us, largely because of their ‘big match
experience’. What the Saints may lack in ‘big match experience’, they more than
make up for in sheer heart, guts and determination. We may not be the fanciest
rugby team, at times we may not choose to play the most attractive rugby –
although we all know that we can. We may not have the best individual players in
the world, and we may not have the most consistent. We may not have the most
technically gifted, or the most experienced. But what we do have, are the
bravest, the most committed and the hardest working players – players that are
willing to put their bodies on the line, time and time again for each other, and
for us – the supporters. What we have are 23 men that deserve the respect and
admiration of us all, no matter how little or how much time they have spent on
the pitch to get us to Cardiff. What we have in our 23 players, is special. What
we have, are 23 Saintsmen – and at this club, there is no bigger accolade than
being touted as a true ‘Saintsman’.
Are we expected to win? Absolutely not. Are we expected to lie down graciously for the rightful Irish champions? You bet. Are any pundits or rugby experts alike giving us a hope in hell? Fat chance – no pun intended Mr Barnes.
Are we going to lie down and accept defeat? No. Do we have the ability? Yes. Are we entirely capable of dismantling the Leinster pack, and driving them backwards at a rate of knots in the scrum? Few would say no.
Are we, after last weekend, hurting? Undoubtedly. Are we a wounded animal? Yes. Are we a dangerous wounded animal? Yes. Are we a dangerous, wounded underdog? Absolutely.
Do we, the supporters believe? Yes. Are we going to sing and shout until our throats can take no more in support of our boys? You better believe it. Are we going to be bursting with pride, admiration and appreciation for our boys, whatever the outcome? More than anything in the world.
Make no bones about it, come this Saturday in Cardiff, Millennium Stadium, 5pm sharp - there is going to be an all out war.
Come on you Saints.
Sat 21 May, 5.00pm: Leinster
DaventrySaint’s Predicted
Team:
15 Ben Foden
14 Chris Ashton
13 Jon Clarke
12 James
Downey
11 Paul Diggin
10 Stephen Myler
9 Lee Dickson
1 Soane
Tonga’uhia
2 Dylan Hartley
3 Brian Mujati
4 Courtney Lawes
5
Christian Day
6 Calum Clark
7 Phil Dowson
8 Roger Wilson
Replacements:
16 Brett Sharman
17 Alex Waller
18 Tom
Mercey
19 Mark Sorenson
20 Mark Easter
21 Stuart Commins
22 Shane
Geraghty
23 Joe Ansbro
Saints by 2.
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Many, many, thanks!
COME ON YOU SAINTS
They are extremely confident over there. Man I hope we spring a surprise.
Quote:call it one-dimensional, call it predictable, call it whatever you want. I call it winning.
Love this!! Might use it in reference to Sarries some time.
Great preview - befitting the occasion.
Good luck boys.
To be fair to the Leinster forum, they have every right to be confident in their chances. They are former champions, littered with internationals and Lions and have fought off debatably tougher opposition to get to the Final than we have. Their scrum has faced decent opposition, particularly in the form of Leicester and Toulouse. However, I honestly believe our scrum is a step up. As one of their posters pointed out: we largely live and die by our scrum. If we dominate, we win, end of. If the oppo' achieves parity, we have to work a lot harder.
I rate Cian Healey around the park, but in the tight, he is still not quite the full package. Undoubtedly he has improved this season, particularly with Mike Ross aiding his development, however he probably hasn't faced a prop in as good scrummaging form as Brian Mujati. As for me labelling Soane the best loosehead in Europe at the moment, I stand by that. His all-round game beats Healey's as Soane is more rounded, his scrummaging surpassing that of the Irish No.1 - again, just my opinion, but many pundits and experts would agree with me there.
As for McLaughlin, I concede, I don't actually know a lot about the bloke. I know he has often started above Jennings this season, however I don't know the ins and outs of his game.
On the whole, fairly reasonably response from the majority of them. I'm itching for this game, I'm starting to get goosebumps just thinking about it.
David L
What if there were no hypothetical questions?
- Live wrong and preposterously
Thanks.
Ake Ake Kia Kaha
Looking forward to this titanic Arm Wrestle tomorrow!
Enjoy Cardiff!
Quote:Leinsterfan
Phenomenal piece of writing. Really honest piece about the game. Registered simply to commend it.
Much appreciated, LF. Thank you for taking the time.
The bravest will win this - COME ON YOU SAINTS
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