By Simon Robinson
February 6 2014

After securing a home berth in the semi-finals of the LV= Cup last time out, it's a return to Aviva Premiership action for Northampton Saints this weekend with a trip down to a soggy Devon to take on Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park. Regular COYSDC contributor, Simon Robinson (smurf), takes a look ahead to the game...

EXETER CHIEFS vs NORTHAMPTON SAINTS

AP: Saturday, 8th February 2014 - 7pm (Bt Sport)

SANDY PARK, EXETER

MATCH PREVIEW

After a month's worth of cup games - both European and Anglo Welsh - it's back to league action, with a trip down to Exeter. The length of trip, coupled with the silly 7pm kick off time, will no doubt reduce the numbers of travelling fans - especially having had two long trips already this year, and a trek up to Newcastle in a fortnight. Saints are undefeated so far in 2014, and will need to be at their best to keep this run going against the Chiefs.

Those who made the near-400 mile round trip twelve months ago will no doubt recall the shock 28-19 defeat, when a strong Saints squad lost out to a relatively youthful (with the minor exception of a C Budgen on the bench) Exeter team. However, this was only their second victory in 11 meetings, the other being a 30-9 win at Sandy Park in 2011, at the end of their first Premiership season.

Exeter are currently eighth in the Premiership, but the congestion in mid-table means they're only four points away from the final playoff spot. Having finished in the top six in their last two seasons, they will be pushing hard to make it further up the table (and whatever European competition that may lead to) with an outside chance of making the top four. Their last five fixtures will help - trips to Worcester and Newcastle, as well as hosting Gloucester, Sale and Quins. Before that "easy" run in, however, they have to go to Welford Road and Allianz Park (both during the 6 Nations).

The teams know each other well - in addition to the home and away Premiership games of the last four seasons, and the aforementioned LV game, they met three times in the 07/08 season. Players - including Chris Budgen and the sadly injured Brett Sturgess - have found their way from Northampton down to Devon, as well as current coaches Ali Hepher and Rob Hunter. Saints will have to do without their top two try scorers in this fixture - Dylan Hartley (4) in the England side, and Paul Diggin (5) out of favour and on loan.

A wild guess at the teams - assuming no-one (other than Saxons) released back to the clubs from the international sides. Apologies if either are completely inaccurate!

Exeter: Arscott; Jess, Whitten, Shoemark, James; Steenson, Lewis; Moon, Yeandle, Brown; Graham, Welch; Johnson, Scaysbrook, Horstmann.

Saints: Wilson; K Pisi, G Pisi, Waldouck, Elliot; Myler, Fotuali'i; A Waller, Haywood, Ma'afu; Day, Manoa; Clark, Dowson, Dickinson. For those travelling to the game,

Exeter have produced a guide on how best to get to the ground:

http://www.exeterchiefs.co.uk/news/transport-plans-saints-game/

And, if you've not made transport plans yet but would like to go, why not travel on the SSC coach? Leaving at 12.30 from the "tackle" statue, and reasonably priced at £20 per person:

http://www.ssclub.co.uk/Coaches_and_things/

News: AP: Exeter Chiefs v Northampton Saints - Match Preview

Discussion started by ComeOnYouSaints.com , 06/02/2014 11:04

ComeOnYouSaints.com
06/02/2014 11:04

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SAINT_aitch
06/02/2014 12:34

Well done Smurf.
We all know that the Chiefs are a strong side, and your attempt at their team shows key players in key positions that, given the right conditions, can make our day out a disappointing one.
That said, we know that our boys are going to be up for this.
I fancy we might just nick this one, only just.

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Phil.
06/02/2014 13:50

Nice one, Si.

Many thanks!

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Longers
06/02/2014 17:02

Curious about the comment re Digger.

Out of favour? With whom?

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smurfomatic
06/02/2014 18:08

Longers - he's out on loan, he hasn't played for the first team this season and we even signed a full back to cover for Wilson and Foden's injuries. I'd say he isn't in favour with the management.

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tws
06/02/2014 18:27

Well done , Smurf.

Exeter will probably have Ewers plus Tui and Mumm if they are fit .

Will Hooley is not in the Moseley squad tomorrow night . Might mean he's on our bench . Could be that George Pisi isn't fit , Wilson is in the centre and Fats at 15 .

Get ready for an aerial bombardment in gale force winds.

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Longers
06/02/2014 21:29

Sorry, only asked.

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smurfomatic
07/02/2014 10:28

Quote:

Longers
Sorry, only asked.

...and all I did was answer your question.

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