By Behind the Bench
November 5 2015

The latest instalment in the contests between Northampton and Saracens continues as the Saints make their seasonal debut at Franklins Gardens, now expanded to 15,500 with the new Barwell (North) stand completed, and consequently meaning that any European Quarter Finals can be hosted in Northampton, although given the encouraging gates for Saints and the Rugby World Cup at stadium:mk, the new town probably hasn't seen the last of the Saints

Although Saracens and Northampton both recorded two wins apiece in the four matches last season, it was far from honours even, as Sarries claimed the two landmark victories, firstly denying them a home final in the LV= Cup with a semi-final triumph at Allianz Park, before going on to win the Cup in dramatic style against Exeter the following week at the Gardens and recording a semi-final Premiership victory there for good measure on the way to the title. So, it goes without saying, an abundance of happy memories made here. In the decidedly fragmented pre-season, though, Northampton's greater attacking cohesion saw them claim a comfortable win at Allianz Park, but not that much can be deduced from that, in truth, given recent results.

Two defeats from the first three is far from a disaster for the Saints, given that, on another day, they could have won all three. That said, though, and with due respect to Worcester Warriors, Saints would have expected to have claimed at least one try against the returning Premiership side, but only had a quartet of Stephen Myler penalties to show for it, allowing a drop goal in the last play of the match to earn a 13-12 win for the Sixways hosts. In contrast to Sarries, who have been adept at closing out tight games in the main, it was doubly disappointing, as after 34 minutes without a point from either side, the last of Myler's efforts had given the visitors a lead with a minute to spare. However, a return to Milton Keynes saw them back on track, as over 20,000 witnessed a 42-14 win over Newcastle Falcons. The opening try of the season came from a familiar source as a rolling maul was finished off by Christian Day in the fifth minute, as Saints progressed to a 16-9 half time lead, and Day scored another try in similar fashion after the break. Ben Foden claimed a brace of tries to cap well-worked moves, after Luther Burrell finished from close range.

Sale, though, has been the scene of one or two upsets for Northampton in recent seasons, and this year proved no exception, as they lost out 20-13 at the AJ Bell Stadium, although on another day, they could have come away with a comfortable win, as early pressure from close range came to nothing. The visitors' failure to deal with two testing kicks either side of half time allowed the Sharks to establish a decisive 20-6 lead, but a strong response after that saw Saints have a try disallowed, whilst effective home defence meant they were hauled into touch as they looked to use the maul to good effect, finally getting through as Stephen Myler scored, but the reward for this was limited to a losing bonus point, and indeed they were grateful for a Cipriani penalty miss. 

However, Saracens, have, at times, struggled with Saints' kicking game, most notably at Allianz Park almost a year ago to the day, although despite the return to form of Foden after injury and Luther Burrell with a point to prove given the end of the Sam Burgess England cameo, the backline has not consistently clicked, as Northampton have returned to the tried and tested formula of the rolling maul rather than anything too creative. That could mean that there are loose kicks and passes which Alex Goode and Chris Ashton could look to counter attack from, and, arguably, the visitors have the edge at the breakdown too, although they will look to be more clinical in attack and from the tee than they were against Irish. 

Teams have not been announced at the time of writing, but Saints have been relatively settled in their starting XV, and lock Victor Matfield, who retired from international rugby as South African captain in the Bronze Final win at Stratford last week, is apparently with the Barbarians at the moment. So, a likely line up has Foden at full back, with Ken Pisi and the returning George North on the wings, outside a centre partnership of Burrell and George Pisi. The half back combination is a more intriguing question. From 2006 until 2013, when Ryan Lamb left, Myler alternated at fly half with Carlos Spencer, Shane Geraghty and then Lamb, in the same way that Sarries readily switch between Charlie Hodgson and Owen Farrell. Significantly, perhaps, the first Premiership title came when Myler was consistently started at 10, but it will be interesting to see if the starting berth is rotated with JJ Hanrahan to increase creativity. In contrast, both new captain Lee Dickson and Kaan Fotuali'i have started at scrum half this season. Myler and Dickson seems the likeliest combination on Saturday. Into the forwards, and Alex Waller has started all three games at loosehead, and should start a fourth, with Dylan Hartley likely to come back in at hooker and Kieran Brookes continuing at tighthead. The second row should feature Courtney Lawes and Day, with an unchanged back row for the fourth match in a row as Jamie Gibson teams up with Tom Wood and Sam Dickinson. 

Saracens, though, will probably opt for more changes. Goode should continue at full back, with Chris Ashton and Chris Wyles on the wings, and a revised centre partnership of Brad Barritt and Duncan Taylor, with the backs completed by Farrell at fly half and Richard Wigglesworth at scrum half. Forwards-wise, Richard Barrington could start at loosehead, with Schalk Brits at hooker and Juan Figallo, who was at loosehead for Argentina last Friday, at tighthead. Alistair Hargreaves and Maro Itoje should continue their successful lock combination, with the back row might see a continuation of Jackson Wray, Will Fraser and Ernst Joubert as last week.