By Maverick
October 21 2005

Saints take a break from Guinness Premiership commitments this weekend as they welcome Italian side Arix Viadana to Franklin’s Gardens in Match One of the European Challenge Cup.

We’ve been spoiled these last few years.

 

We are so used to playing against Europe’s elite at this time of year that it still takes a little head scratching before we realise that we are no longer amongst the top echelon of club sides in the Northern Hemisphere of club rugby. This time last year Northampton were preparing for a trip north of the border as they looked forward to another Heineken Cup campaign. Glasgow, Llanelli and Toulouse were to be the opponents in Europe’s premier club competition and Saints performed with great credit, losing out to eventual winners Toulouse in the quarter-finals. This term, with absolutely no disrespect intended to the three other teams in our group, it’s Bristol, Narbonne and Arix Viadana.

 

To put it bluntly, Saints have got what they deserve as a result of last season’s league campaign. For the first time in six seasons, Northampton Saints embark this weekend on a campaign in European Rugby’s second tier.

 

Saints do go into this fixture with a minor head of steam. Victory over a London Irish team that never looked like scoring a try unless it was gifted to them (which we did twice, of course) made it three on the bounce for Budge’s troops. Without wanting to dwell on last week’s result too much (oh, go on then!) it struck me that Irish got exactly what they deserved. As Mr White’s watch began its descent from 25 minutes to no-side in the second half, not one opportunity was missed by the men in Green (yes I know they were in white but you know what I mean) to summon on the trainer for a quick rub down, a chat about tactics and, quite possibly, a bite on a cheese toastie. If they had just got on with the game then Irish would probably have had another pop at a drop-goal and Rickey Flutey would have nailed it. It was not to be though and Irish reminded me of similar tactics by Harlequins last season. Leading into the last quarter, stop the clock at every opportunity and grind out the win.

 

It didn’t do Quins any favours either (thank you, Shine).

 

On Thursday, Saints named the following squad for Saturday’s game…

 

15 BRUCE REIHANA
14 John Rudd
13 Jon Clarke
12 DAVID QUINLAN
11 BEN COHEN
10 CARLOS SPENCER
9 Johnny Howard
1 Charlie Beech
2 STEVE THOMPSON (capt)
3 Chris Budgen
4 DAVID GERARD
5 Matt Lord
6 Mark Hopley
7 SAM HARDING
8 Daniel Browne

Replacements: Dan Richmond, Tom Smith, Brett Sturgess, Damien Browne, Mark Robinson, Seamus Mallon, Paul Diggin.

 

Looking from backs to front as it were, there are two changes among the flyers. Mark Robinson has been carrying a knee niggle and it’s no surprise to see him dropping to the bench to be replaced by Johnny Howard. Johnny H has flattered to deceive in the last couple of seasons, one minute it’s ball right in the red-zone the next it’s over the fly-half’s shoulder or down at his ankles. There is a sumptuous talent in there but it needs to be channelled and only one man can sort it out. Sharky needs competition for the nine spot and Badger needs to grasp the nettle. The other change comes out on the wing with John Rudd coming in at 14. Sean Lamont (off to represent Scotland shortly) is rested as the coaching team look at their options in the back-line.

 

As last week, the major changes come in the pack. Steve Thompson returns at hooker as Dan Richmond drops to the bench and to his left in the scrum comes young Charlie Beech. Just turned 18, Charlie has been getting rave reviews for his performances for the Wanderers but it’s a big step up to first class rugby. We wish him well. Another Academy youngster, Mark Hopley, gets the nod at six and at eight we see a welcome return to Daniel Browne.

 

The replacements take care of themselves but it we should get our first chance this season to take look at Paul Diggin. During the latter end of last season Paul really made his mark, showing a great turn of speed and a keen eye for the gap. Expect to see Digger enter the fray in the last quarter as Viadana begin to tire.

 

 

So, what of our opponents this Saturday? Formed as recently as 1970, Viadana have gradually worked their way up the Italian rugby pyramid. Their rise culminated in 2002 when they won The Italian league, defeating Benetton Treviso to claim the title. This year, Viadana currently lie second in the Italian “Super 10” league with a 6-2 win/loss ratio to show for their efforts. They are a cosmopolitan bunch with an Italian core fleshed out by representation from South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Argentina. In the home-grown talent, team captain Christian Bezzi has represented Italy at A-level whilst three other players, back-row forward Andrea Benatti, centre Andrea Masi and scrum-half Matteo Mazzantini all boast full international honours. One player that some may be familiar with is the Australian Ben Daly who spent some time at Worcester. There is no team news at the time of writing.

 

Speaking to the press this week Steve Thompson gave us an idea of what to expect from Viadana. “I have played against the Italians a few times,” he said, “they fight to the death and they are big lads who charge about.” With this in mind I would not be surprised to see the score being fairly close up to half-time. I would however expect superior fitness to kick in during the second period and for Saints to run out fairly comfortable winners.

 

As the legendary centre Charlie Croker once remarked before a particularly tricky fixture, “It's a very difficult job and the only way to get through it is we all work together as a team. And that means you do everything I say.” Perhaps Wally could incorporate those fine words into his pre-match huddle speech.

 

Saints by twenty-five.