By Eddie P
February 2 2012

Northampton Saints welcome London Wasps to Franklin's Gardens this Saturday afternoon knowing that a bonus point victory would secure a place in the last four of the LV= Cup. In his first article for COYSDC, Eddie P looks ahead to the game... 

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs LONDON WASPS

LV= CUP: Saturday, 4th February 2012 - 3pm

FRANKLIN'S GARDENS

MATCH PREVIEW

In the final game of the pool stage of this years LV= Cup Northampton play host to a Wasps side who find themselves in a fairly desperate situation both on and off the pitch. Three losses from three in the Anglo-Welsh Cup see them bottom of their group but a precarious league position, uncertainty over future ownership and a horrific injury list will be more of a concern to the Adams Park faithful. With no hope of qualification for the semi-final of this competition, and only two wins on the road all season, we can probably expect to see a Wasp team similar in experience to our own which started at The Rec last Saturday.

Enough on the Waspies. With Heineken Cup qualification on offer for the eventual winners of the competition we are now at the stage where teams start to take things a little more seriously, ourselves very much included in that group. A gaggle of internationals made up numbers 16 to 23 on last week's team sheet. A well deserved rest should see them in good stead for this week. With Clark being returned from England duty we can expect to see a slightly stronger and more experienced back row. It is testament to Clark that he is adding experience at only 22 years old as he approaches his 50th appearance in Green, Black and Gold (this week would be his 49th). Our real selection headache comes at hooker. Just a few short Months ago we guffawed over having England's Dylan Hartley and the future of England hooking, young Mikey Haywood. Now we will be without third choice Brett Sharman who will be devastated to be injured at his first chance to shine this season. Andy Long must start this week but I wouldn't be surprised to see Alex Waller throwing in by the end of the match.

This competition is important to us so I expect to see the following names being read out at ten to three on Saturday:

15 Digger
14 Elliott
13 Pisi
12 May
11 Cato
10 Myler
9  Roberts
1 Tonga'uiha
2 Long
3 Mujati
4 Sorenson
5 Day (Captain)
6 Clark
7 Nutley
8 Wilson

Yes I think Samu deserves a break, for the first half at least! His shoulders must be hurting.

So the permutations for Saturday:

Forget points, bonus points, Exeter Chiefs and tries scored. We need to win and win big. Not only for points, or for semi-final qualification, but for the boost that everyone involved with the club really needs!

Come on you Saints!!

News: LV: Northampton Saints vs London Wasps - Preview

Discussion started by ComeOnYouSaints.com , 02/02/2012 12:25

ComeOnYouSaints.com
02/02/2012 12:25

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Edward
02/02/2012 12:27

Hopefully I'm only wrong about the Captain!

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Saint Tim
02/02/2012 12:28

“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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Phil.
02/02/2012 12:35

Many thanks for this Eddie.

It's a really good read and much appreciated!

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Bob Stainsby
02/02/2012 13:03

Nice one Eddie

Top of the League 2014-2015 Season

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dawson9
02/02/2012 13:19

Good read.

You're probably right about our team though - LV Cup is not top of our priorities especially with a home league game against a weakened Sarries side next week.

Id expect something like this from Wasps:

1. Zak Talaufo
2. Tom Lindsay
3. Simon McIntyre
4. Heinz Koll
5. Ed O'Donoghue
6. Joe Burton
7. James Harris
8. Victor Gresev

9. Charlie Davies
10. Will Robinson
11. Charlie Ingall
12. Alex Cheeseman
13. Chris Mayor
14. Lee RObinson
15. Jack Wallace

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John Rickerd
02/02/2012 13:31

Wot no Downey!!

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St.Rich Joe, Niamh and Sam's Dad
02/02/2012 13:39

good work!

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

Dryathlon

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Wee Jim
02/02/2012 13:47

Excellent preview! Agree for the need for a boost the big win brings.

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skybluesaint
02/02/2012 14:04

"Andy Long must start this week but I wouldn't be surprised to see Alex Waller throwing in by the end of the match."

But if he's on bench as reserve hooker, who's replacement loose-head? Altho I recall a game where McMillan was on bench but Alex still went to hooker and they brought on the replacement prop - or am I dreaming?

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Nigel Scott
02/02/2012 14:23

Oh gawd

if those are the teams, I think you might be needing those calculators you had to use during the promotion season!

good preview by the way



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012:02:02:14:25:20 by Nigel Scott.

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Saint Dom in Hanoi
03/02/2012 17:16

Great preview.

Does anyone know who is the whistler?

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St Francis
03/02/2012 19:01

Good preview. They're harder to write than a match report, I reckon. Thanks.

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