By Chris G
January 3 2003

So boys and girls here goes another rollercoaster of a Gold Black n Green year with 2003 starting with a visit from our good old friends the Exiled Exiles of London Irish to the Gardens for a Zurich Premiership clash. With all thoughts of Powergen 'revenge' now well and truly behind us as we go for the treble against the Exiles, after two wins on the trot at the Madstad, Saints despite last week weeks turnover by Gloucester are on a bit of a roll. With five straight victories before last weeks loss the defence still stands as firm as ever conceding on average just one try per game in the ZP and its this bedrock that the Saints season has been built on.

Irish have hit a bit of relative form themselves as a certain individual, who goes by the name of DrV's something or another, was only too pleased to point out to us this morning stating that, 'LI are in form. 4 wins in last 6, 11 tries by 10 different players in the last 3 games.' However given last years accomplishments this campaign, so far, has to be viewed as a bit of a disappointment for the Irish overall.

Tipped by a few, including our very own Analyst, to go the distance this term they have, up to now, failed to capitalise on last season when they were English rugbys suprise package.

The pre-season concern that teams may well have 'sussed them out' does seem to, in some part at least, have played a role in this but as the Saints know to their cost the last thing to do is underestimate an Irish side under any circumstances.

In recent years on two of three occasions the Exiles have well and truly upset the Saints ambitious applecart.

Certainly coach Smudger has done his homework on the threat of the Exiles in recent weeks. travelling down to the Madstad to see the Irish game against Newcastle last week he commented on 'the ferocity of Irish's defence and the commitment with which they played'. Not a man to mince his words I'm sure he will will have the boys up for anything again this weekend.

The Irish themselves will no doubt be aware that last season they came to the Gardens with the reputation as a hard uncompromising side. The Saints however took them on head on and for want of a better phrase right royally turned them over in both tight and loose exchanges which caused a war of words from both sides after the game. Irish, of course, returned the compliment on the pitch at season end at Twickenham.

A tough one to call maybe given the inconsistencies of the Exiles but i'd still fancy the Saints by ten. But with the Irish you just never know which side is going to turn up!

So see you all there and may the best side win.

TEAM NEWS

Two changes for Saints. Oriol Ripol comes in for Jonny Sleights on the wing (but could himself be replaced by Ben Cohen, who has a late fitness test) while Robbie 'Roboprop' Morris comes in for Budgen the Bludgeon in the front row.

Mark Soden is named in the starting lineup but is suffering from a slight illness and could be replaced by Grant Seely if he too passes a fitness test.

Still missing through injury are the key trio of Matt Dawson, Mark Connors and Andy Blowers.
Daws absense could be a blessing in disguise given the problem a certain Doctor from the Veldt seems to have with him.

Saints:

Nick Beal, Bruce Reihana, Peter Jorgensen, John Leslie , Oriol Ripol, Paul Grayson , Ian Vass; Tom Smith , Steve Thompson , Robbie Morris, Steve Williams , Jon Phillips, Rob Hunter, Budge Pountney , Mark Soden

Subs from:

Dan Richmond, Chris Budgen, Matt Lord, Darren Fox, Grant Seely, Johnny Howard, James Brooks, Mark Tucker, Ben Cohen .

Irish name the following side:

15. Michael Horak; 14. Paul Sackey; 13. Nick Burrows; 12. Brendan Venter; 11. Justin Bishop; 10. Barry Everitt; 9. Darren Edwards; 1. Mike Worsley; 2. Naka Drotske; 3. Rob Hardwick; 4. Glenn Delaney; 5. Nick Kennedy; 6. Paul Gustard; 7. Kieron Dawson; 8. Chris Sheasby.

Subs:

16. Hentie Martens; 17. Mark Mapletoft; 18. Declan Danaher; 19. Richard Kirke; 20. Bob Casey; 21. Neal Hatley; 22. Simon Halford.

HISTORY

The clubs first met in the 1904-1905 season a 25-0 win for the Saints. The Irish won their first game between the clubs in the 1951-52 season a 9-3 victory. The clubs have met over fifty times with the Saints well and truly in the driving seat statistically.
In recent years the Saints have still held sway (see stats below) but there were two victories for the Exiles at the Gardens four seasons ago which put to an end both Saints cup and league dreams. The season after though the Saints got revenge over their hosts with a treble including a semi final cup win over the Irish at their future home the 'Madstad'. Last season, as we all remember too well the Exiles comprehensively did a job on the Saints in the Powergen Cup Final to win their first major trophy.

THE STATS


Summary of meetings between the teams in the Premiership
Played 18
Saints Won 12 66.7%
Irish Won 5 27.8%
Draw 1 5.6%
Biggest Win for Saints 51 - 10 13 Dec 1997
Biggest Win for Irish 48 - 12 18 Nov 2001

Saints top try scorer vs Irish
Ben Cohen 4 tries

Saints top points scorer vs Irish
Paul Grayson 125 points

Irish top try scorer vs Saints
Niall Woods 6 tries

Irish top points scorer vs Saints
Niall Woods 55 points

Those 18 meetings.

27 Oct 2002 Saints vs Irish 14 - 12 Madejski Stadium
19 May 2002 Saints vs Irish 38 - 14 Madejski Stadium
29 Dec 2001 Saints vs Irish 24 - 15 Franklin's Gardens
18 Nov 2001 Saints vs Irish 12 - 48 Madejski Stadium
17 Mar 2001 Saints vs Irish 10 - 13 Madejski Stadium
26 Aug 2000 Saints vs Irish 27 - 10 Franklin's Gardens
26 Jan 2000 Saints vs Irish 44 - 20 Stoop
13 Nov 1999 Saints vs Irish 24 - 19 Franklin's Gardens
05 Jan 1999 Saints vs Irish 8 - 32 Franklin's Gardens
24 Oct 1998 Saints vs Irish 26 - 10 Avenue
22 Apr 1998 Saints vs Irish 33 - 18 Franklin's Gardens
13 Dec 1997 Saints vs Irish 51 - 10 Avenue
12 Apr 1997 Saints vs Irish 31 - 21 Franklin's Gardens
07 Sep 1996 Saints vs Irish 21 - 34 Avenue
29 Jan 1994 Saints vs Irish 16 - 13 Avenue
25 Sep 1993 Saints vs Irish 23 - 12 Franklin's Gardens
03 Oct 1992 Saints vs Irish 3 - 12 Avenue
23 Nov 1991 Saints vs Irish 12 - 12 Franklin's Gardens

HOW TO GET HERE

Road
From the South: Leave M1 at junction 15A and follow signs towards Sixfields, past the Sixfields Stadium on the right to the major roundabout. Take right turn onto A4500 for the Town Centre. Follow signs to Saints car park.

From the North: Exit M1 at junction 16 and follow the A45 to Northampton and follow signs to Town Centre at major traffic island. Then directions as for the South.

Rail
Turn right out of station. Follow road past the Thomas A Beckett public house, Church's shoe factory and the bus station into a shopping area where you will see yellow signs to Saints car park.

Be aware that if you are driving the Saints have released the following statement.

'Ground staff at Franklin’s Gardens have sent out a plea
to Saints supporters to share cars or use public
transport for Saturday’s game against London Irish,
which kicks off at the same time as Cobblers’ match
against Wycombe Wanderers.

They have also warned that the Saints' match day car
park is already full and will only be accessible to
supporters with a season car park ticket. There is
enough car parking available on the hard standing areas
for supporters with these season tickets, but all the
practice pitches are out of bounds for any extra
parking following today’s heavy rain.

Saints fans have also been warned that the Cobblers
will be kicking off against Wycombe Wanderers at 3pm
and therefore traffic in the area will be busy, and
Sixfields car parks will be unavailable to Saints
supporters.'