Northampton Saints
News: AP: Harlequins vs Northampton Saints - Match Preview
By Bonso
September 8 2011
After a successful start to their Aviva Premiership season with a narrow victory over Gloucester, Northampton Saints travel to London on Friday evening to face Harlequins. Regular COYSDC contributor Bonso takes a look ahead...
HARLEQUINS vs. NORTHAMPTON SAINTS
AP: Friday, 9th September 2011 - 7.45pm (ESPN)
TWICKENHAM STOOP
MATCH PREVIEW
Harlequins have been one of the clubs we seem to have a problem beating over recent years. No longer are they the talented team with the self-destruct button or soft centre. It seems like ourselves relegation from the top flight only served as a good point to fix the things broken and rebuild as a stronger fitter meaner unit. Now with depth and youth Quins are a formidable unit, I fully expect this to be as tough as any encounter in the league this season.
The Quins team at the time of writing I would expect to be pretty much the same as fielded against the Oirish with the exception of the unfortunate Tom Guest, whom I am sure that all of us Saints wish all the best after his shocking double break. It seems as well, again at the time of writing, that Marler has escaped censure for trying to punch the Twickenham pitch. I can only hope he is truly grateful for Lahiff putting his head in the way. This will certainly add some dog to a steady Quins front row and make some difference in the loose. Another front row weapon for Quins is Johnston, get him moving and he is very hard to stop. Joe Gray we are familiar enough with and has done well since leaving us for a chance at 1st XV rugby.
I am not sure about who will start for Quins in the back five because of the injury to Guest , but for sure Robson, Skinner and Capt. Robshaw I am sure will make things as tricky slow and difficult as they can for Saints.
With Dickson Jnr and Evans I think Quins have some quality at half-back and Saints will certainly have to think on how to handle Evans if he gets front foot ball or any space to run in. Also with Lowe and Turner-Hall they have centres capable of causing some damage as well, although their handling can be a bit suspect at times. Monye is always a threat but the Jewel in the Quins backs is Mike Brown who if he can keep his cool is about as good as it gets as a running full-back these days (Foden excepted of course).
So that's Quins.
For Saints although our front row is smaller it is more agile and has a bigger engine room behind it. Add to that the Mooj's technical nous it's going to be one heck of a fight there. I am not sure who is going to be starting at Hooker. Is Sharman fit? Will we risk Hayward? Will Andy Longs body be able to take it after only a 4 day break? Tune in on Friday to see! Only having a 4 day break is irksome but that's the hand we have and I suppose we can just get on with it.
In Saints back 5 I would expect to see Day return and some shuffling around depending on injuries and whether anyone has stopped Ben Nutley chasing anything in a Cherry and White shirt yet. Whoever plays it will be a good contest because both teams will be a mixture of experience and youth. I will stick my neck out and say I think Saints will surprise Quins in this area with their vim and vigour at the breakdown.
I think Roberts will be our starting Scrummy and if he carries on the good work of Sunday I think Myler will have some nice quick delivery and a little space with Roberts sniping keeping the Quins line honest. At 10 Stephen Myler will just keep on keeping on and Lamb might still have to wait for his go till Clarke and Pisi return.
Whilst not the quickest pairing in the premiership Downey and May won't let anyone gain easy ground and I think will attack Lowe and Turner-Hall in a very direct manner. This one could be fierce.
The only certainty in the Saints back 3 as I write is Cato, and I would expect us to potentially have the worse of the match-ups depending on who plays and fitness.
To sum up this one is too close to call; a lot depends on who is fit and who the whistle-blower is. On paper you can argue for both teams. Thank goodness it's not played on paper.
Saints by 5
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Tonks had a bit of a mare on Sunday will he start or is he injured?
I hope our back three get some space we have a number of flyers in the squad not sure who will start but all our back 3 players can be lightning.
Agree that Downey & May v the young pretenders George & Jordan could be worth the ticket money alone.
To those travelling down have a safe journey and to everyone else good luck and enjoy the game.
Saint til I die
Feel free to forget Ross Chisholm at your own expense...
Cheers and looking forward to the best visiting supporters we entertain...
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