By osb
January 25 2008

For a change, this is not Saints’ journey into the unknown. It is the visitors’. Coming to Franklins Gardens is a new experience for nearly all of them. In front of a crowd in excess of 10,000 – that is five times the biggest crowd they have seen so far this season – it could be quite an experience.

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs. SEDGLEY PARK

NL1 – Saturday, 26^th January 2008, 3pm

FRANKLIN’S GARDENS

MATCH PREVIEW

Journey Into The Unknown – The Return

For a change, this is not Saints’ journey into the unknown. It is the visitors’. Coming to Franklins Gardens is a new experience for nearly all of them. In front of a crowd in excess of 10,000 – that is five times the biggest crowd they have seen so far this season – it could be quite an experience.

With a glance at the two records so far, Saints will be red-hot favourites. A perfect record of wins and 14 try bonus points already banked. No rational person is going to bet against a home win. The race for promotion may be showing the first signs of a procession. As I write, the ether is hot with news of two fresh faces at Franklins Gardens next season. It is not only the arrogance of the fans that reckons we will be in the top flight come September.

The questions to ask are, is this juggernaut now unstoppable? And, is this the day that a team with nothing to lose, no pressure as relegation is only a remote possibility, can come to Franklins Gardens and enjoy itself?

Can Sedgley Park Tigers come and play with a freedom borne of the thought that their best chance of getting something from the game is to score four tries? Can they come with the cussedness of Newbury and play to a game-plan that flummoxes the Saints?

Is this the day that the cocks of the walk believe their own publicity and forget to turn up and take care of business?

There have been relatively few changes at Sedgley Park. In the pack form and injury has seen quite a bit of rotation in the second row. Player-coach, Tim Fourie, plays mainly from the bench now. This week’s pairing of Ed Newton and Juan Crous will definitely want to have a say in the line-out battle. The back row is as consistent a unit as you will find in this division – expect to see Jon Skurr organising things from the base of the scrum. Jimmy Ponton and Adam Newton will be real pains in the neck if we do not take steps to clear them away from the breakdown.

Jamie Albinson has been ever present at scrum half and his regular partner, Phil Jones, will relish the chance of playing on Piggy’s Patch. The midfield pairing of Burrell and Craig is intriguing. Luther Burrell has just signed for a loan spell from Leeds Carnegie. He is raw strength and talent – he was impressive in bursting through tackles to score for Carnegie in the A League fixture before Christmas – and the level head and class of former Scottish international Andy Craig. Expect Burrell to probe the gaps between defenders with his power and pace and Craig to create openings for those around him.

Two phrases that have kept creeping into statements by Jim Mallinder since he has been at Saints are, “keen and fresh,” and, “the next game is the most important.” Both are designed to keep the Saints performing to a high standard no matter the respective league position of their opponents. Because of this, I expect to see a few changes from the relatively consistent selection we have seen over the Christmas and New Year period – certainly on the bench. Will Jon Clarke be rested? Will Neil Starling start with Joe Ansboro on the bench? Will Phil Hoy or Joe Gray get a start?

Affirmative answers to these questions would certainly fit the keen and fresh bill and would be the most important match of their careers so far for the young men concerned.

Reihana, Spencer and Tupai have all played a lot of rugby in the current campaign. It would be something of a surprise to see them all continue this week. With a new Number Eight on the way, it might just be the time to give the two Marks a go in the same side.

Whatever side Jim Mallinder selects, it will have the same steely pride in its defence that it has displayed of late. The front five has learned that it has to scrummage well to gain respect in this league and earn the right for its backs to play. The firepower that has already delivered 109 tries in the campaign will be in evidence.

My view is that, having arrived at the second half of the season, the enormity of taking on the Saints is dawning on sides. Saints meanwhile are just getting into their stride and are set to continue their march

The Saints shall go marching on with a performance that will be hard for these Tigers to match. A big score – maybe as much as our October meeting – and a fifteenth bonus point.

Sedgley Park have published their team in the preview on their web-site. The Northampton Saints team is the product of my own fevered imagination.

 

arw

25.01.08

Northampton Saints vs Sedgley Park - Match Preview

Discussion started by ComeOnYouSaints.com , 25/01/2008 13:24

ComeOnYouSaints.com
25/01/2008 13:24

Northampton Saints vs Sedgley Park - Match Preview

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Phil.
25/01/2008 13:26

a big big thank you to osb for this.

A fine read, sir!

"It's not the despair, Saints, I can take the despair. It's the hope I can't stand."

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smurfomatic
25/01/2008 13:30

Nice preview Richard, thanks for stepping in and doing this.

Photo Gallery

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Casual Saint
25/01/2008 13:36

Well worth the wait. These potential "gimme" games are always the hardest to preview.

Once a scrum half .... always a scrum half

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Saint Tim
25/01/2008 13:39

Well done.



“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

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St.Rich Joe, Niamh and Sam's Dad
25/01/2008 14:09

Like the team list theory OSB and what price switching Hopley to number 7 as had been suggested by someone at some point?

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

Dryathlon

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Wee Jim
25/01/2008 16:09

Thanks for that OSB a good preview for an interesting game. It will be almost as much a measure of progress as last weeks game. If Saints take their foot off the pedal and play sloppy or reckless rugby that would show they have yet to aqquire the ruthless streak needed for the future.

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Christy
25/01/2008 18:42

thanks osb - that's made tomorrow more interesting.

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Mark C
25/01/2008 19:32

last time i predicted a big win margin was at a game I'm sure many will easily recall...NEWBURY!

So, a win consisting of 4 trys minimum will do me tomorrow!
Nice to have the chance to beat another bunch of Tigers.
I just hope we can turn the last quarter v Plymouth last week into 80 mins at FG tomorrow afternoon... but when do Saints ever play consistently for 80 mins?
even when losing badly, its never for the full 80 mins!

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Paul Flatt
25/01/2008 21:43

Will England be beating Australia on the touchline at this game as well?

"Your days are numbered. Use them to throw open the windows of your soul to the sun. If you do not, the sun will soon set, and you with it."

-- Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor 161-180 A.D.

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