By Simon Robinson
April 2 2014

It's a rare Thursday fixture this week for Northampton Saints as they bow to the whim of broadcasters Sky and travel north to face Sale Sharks in the Quarter-Final of the Amlin Challenge Cup. Regular COYSDC contributor, Simon Robinson (smurf), takes a look ahead to the game...

SALE SHARKS vs. NORTHAMPTON SAINTS

AMLIN QF: Thursday 3rd April 2014 - 8pm

AJ BELL STADIUM, ECCLES

MATCH PREVIEW

Saints have to bounce back from the recent results. On a run of thirteen unbeaten in all competitions until the beginning of March, losses to Exeter, Sale and now Leicester have put Saints onto an entirely unwanted run of results.

Each of these results has its own excuse - Exeter "wanted it more", "bringing back all the 6N players" at Sale, "we were outplayed/robbed by the ref" against Leicester. Excuses need to be consigned to the rubbish bin and the team need to get back to winning ways.

A return to the AJ Bell stadium then, less than a fortnight since the last game there. Play like we did in the league fixture and we will lose again, but hopefully the side picked will have more than one training session together!

Sale are looking to continue their two game winning streak, having beaten Bath at the Rec last time out. Sale have only lost four times at home this season - losses to Newcastle, Exeter and Saracens in the league, as well as Bath in the LV cup - all gained losing bonus points however so they are not easy to beat.

Many have said this is an unwanted fixture, no time for a rest between matches, just send the second string etc. I don't see this view myself. Firstly, win on Thursday and we get a home semi-final, which is more money and prestige as well as a chance to reach a second cup final this season.

The gap between these games is no different to going from a Sunday game to a Friday night fixture - which we have already done in 2014, winning two Heineken Cup matches in the process.

I can see the argument for resting some players for the season run-in, but if we lose in Salford everyone gets a week off at the end of April! Depending on fitness of various players who either weren't available on Saturday or went off injured, here's my wild guess at the side, giving some players a bit of a rest/reintroduction from the bench:

Foden; K Pisi, G Pisi, Wilson, North; Hooley, Dickson; E Waller, Haywood, Mercey; Lawes, Craig; Dowson (c), Wood, Van Velze.

Replacements: A Waller, Hartley, Ma'afu, Day, Dickinson, Fotuali'i, Myler, Elliott.

For those travelling up, the Supporters Club coach should arrive between 5.30 - 6.00 depending on traffic.

Most supporters will be heading to the bar at the south end of the west stand, nearby to the food concessions (food is also available inside the bar).

Anyone driving up to the game would be advised to read the Sale offy's travel plan here - http://www.salesharks.com/news/2531.php

Fingers crossed for a better result, especially for those of us who have travelled over 2,300 miles on coaches since January and are adding another 300 or so on Thursday!

News: Amlin QF: Sharks vs Saints - Match Preview

Discussion started by ComeOnYouSaints.com , 02/04/2014 13:48

ComeOnYouSaints.com
02/04/2014 13:48

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Phil.
02/04/2014 13:50

Many thanks, Simon!

Apologies for not being able to get your article published before the team was announced...

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smurfomatic
02/04/2014 14:02

Thanks Phil - got 10 of the starting lineup right, and 3 of the bench - not bad considering!

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riverlodge
02/04/2014 14:40

to be fair you did get a good caveat in your 'wild guess' comment.
good preview btw, like the '2 game winning streak' comment even if it was vs us and Barf.

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Walmersley Shark
02/04/2014 15:11

"Two game winning streak"

Ok, if you exclude the two games before that.


Admittedly we haven't played Saracens or Leicester in that 4 games so perhaps not too much of an achievement.

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smurfomatic
02/04/2014 15:39

Walmersley - sorry, I had completely misread the fixtures on the Sale website. It should indeed be a "four game winning streak" and I should also have added that you've only lost two games out of the 11 played so far in 2014.

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Walmersley Shark
02/04/2014 15:54

No problem. Just thought it worth pointing out.

Looking forward to another nail biting game tomorrow, albeit with two very different sides from those who played a couple of weeks ago.

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