By Chris Wearmouth
November 25 2005

I’m a sucker for any sport with odd shaped balls, and with the extra helping of NFL on Thursday thanks to the Thanksgiving holiday, an evening of putting important stuff aside beckoned. The first game was at Detroit’s Ford Field between the home Lions and the Atlanta Falcons.

 

It was about as one-sided a game as you’re likely to see, and aside from the ongoing comments about how Detroit was massively under-performing this season, a remark caught my ear. As the home fans began streaming home in the third quarter, Troy Aikman said: “At least they’re leaving behind a beautiful stadium.”

To paraphrase Rolf Harris, can you guess where I’m going with this yet?

 

This Saturday lunchtime sees the visit of Worcester to our own beautiful stadium, and, with respect to the Warriors, this weekend is going to be all about the Saints. I’m not going to go on and on about the expectations that surrounded the team this season or how, with the exception of four games a month ago – doesn’t it seem longer? – the year so far has been dogged by a lack of consistency. Highlighted by last Sunday’s reverse at Leeds, where for the second time in the Premiership Saints gave away an early two-try lead to be edged out by the end.

 

It goes without saying that supporters and players alike have been disappointed by the way this campaign is turning out, and that the danger posed by our backs has made opposition directors of rugby think carefully about their game plans. More often than not they’ve succeeded, but it is testament to our quality that we’ve been picking up a stream of bonus points along the way.

 

But a string of one-pointers isn’t good enough for a side containing the likes of Los, Bruce, Ben et al, and it would be fair to say that our team has been on a cusp for a couple of weeks. With the Leeds result the side is now on the wrong side of that cusp, making this week crucial if the journey back is to be achieved.

 

So once more I’m writing a preview with the prospect of crisis again threatening to overwhelm the club.

 

Last season the Warriors’ result at the Gardens was the kick-start to their Premiership campaign. And whilst I never mind losing to a side who deserves to win, my abiding memory of that afternoon almost exactly a year ago was that Worcester didn’t have to play well to win.

 

Tomorrow I wouldn’t mind if the Warriors won again – who am I kidding, I’d be furious – but if the victory was achieved in the same manner I, we, would be most…well, words fail me but I’m sure you get the drift.

 

Worcester were seen as an easy ride when they came to push Solomons out. This time around is a different story. Sitting 10 points ahead of us in the Premiership they bring a wealth of experience, not just in general terms, but also of the Gardens atmosphere. I am of course talking about Shane Drahm. And Ed O’Donoghue, and Tevita Taumoepeau. Three ex-Saints, all with a point to prove to the club that let them go. A dangerous mix.

 

Against them Budge and Grays have selected a side with five changes, including the much needed return of Ben Cohen from international duty. Rhodri Davies has the chance to establish himself over the next few weeks at 12, and in the back row Ben Lewitt comes in for Sam Harding – a surprising switch, some might say. Harding is on the bench with Sharky Robinson, and together with David Gerard and Andy Vilk, they make up a set of replacements that the coaches will hope can make an impact and change the shape of the match.

 

With luck they won’t have to as the 15 who start have not just a point to prove to us, but also a point to prove to themselves. They know they can win – they did it so impressively at Sixways eight weeks ago – but whether they believe it is another story.

 

Believe boys, and it will be done.

Oh, and here are the teams.

 

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS:
15 Bruce Reihana (capt)
14 Jon Clarke
13 Seamus Mallon
12 Rhodri Davies
11 Ben Cohen
10 Carlos Spencer
9 Johnny Howard
1 Chris Budgen
2 Dan Richmond
3 Pat Barnard
4 Damien Browne
5 Matt Lord
6 Ben Lewitt
7 Darren Fox
8 Daniel Browne

Replacements:
16 Dylan Hartley
17 Luke Harbut
18 David Gerard
19 Sam Harding
20 Mark Robinson
21 Andy Vilk
22 Luke Myring

 

WORCESTER:
15 Nicolas Le Roux

14 Aisea Havili

13 Dale Rasmussen

12 Thomas Lombard

11 Thinus Delport

10 Shane Drahm

9 Andy Gomarsall
1 Tony Windo

2 Chris Fortey

3 Tevita Taumoepeau

4 Phil Murphy

5 Craig Gillies

6 Kai Horstmann

7 Sione Tuamoheloa

8 Drew Hickey

Replacements:
16 Gavin Hickie

17 Lee Fortey

18 Ed O'Donoghue

19 Neil Mason

20 Matt Powell

21 James Brown

22 Ben Hinshelwood