By Glossopshark
September 8 2003

It seems like a lifetime and as enjoyable as it was watching England beat all and sundry and us opening our account at Edgley Park, The ZP is back and the real stuff starts now and starts with the Saints!

Our Record against them in the last few years has been pretty good at home, bar one major disaster, and Charles certainly broke some Northampton hearts, with a last second drop-goal in the corresponding fixture last year

So, what shape are the Sinners in then? Well they will be without key players such as Matt Dawson, Tom Smith and Steve Thompson who will be away with their respective unions and of course the ubiquitous Budge Poutney who has a broken leg , but they have had what looks like a decent pre-season, including an stunning performance at the Middlesex Sevens and a decnt win at Cardiff, Sinners have acquired a very tidy player in former All Black scrum-half, Mark Robinson and, paired up with the likes of Mark Connors, Bruce Reihana and Andrew Blowers, they have some of the best overseas signings in the ZP, which means then Saints certainly look one of the strongest sides in this world-cup affected start to the ZP.

With Connors playing in the 2^nd row, and linking up with Blowers and Budge Poutney, it certainly give the Saints a mobile back 5 unit, and one, if it gets enough first phase ball, should be able to support what looks like being a more than decent backline, which could include Robinson at 9, Grayson at 10 (if not at world cup), John Leslie (no, not THAT John Leslie) at 12, Reihana at 13, Ripol and Sleightholme on the wings, with Beal at FB, and, regardless of the age of some of those names, that is still 7 international players, backed up by some talented young players such as Brooks, Hyndman and Howard, who all have decent ZP experience, they won’t be a soft touch!

What about Sale? Well with Robinson, Redpath and White on their respective planes to Oz, then many might of thought that the squad would be a little threadbare for this part of the season, particularly whilst we wait for Charlie to be fit However, we seem to have decent strength in depth due to our summer recruitment campaign of signing BVS, Andrew Sheridan and Jason White, coupled with the ever growing ‘conveyor belt of Jets coming through show just how ‘street-wise’ both Sir Jim and Dimes are ‘off the field’ as well as they were on it!

So, what about the shape of the game? Well, with Sheridan adding some much needed power and ball carrying ability, together with a much-improved lineout that will get better and with Jones, Schofield, Pinkerton and Big Red, we should give them problems, whilst securing our own ball. In the scrummage, I would expect to see ‘Titters’ to be sandwiched between Barry Stewart and Sheridan and perm any 2 from, Fully, Schoey and Jonesey to provide the drive from the engine room.

In the back row, things look tasty as Pinks takes on another excellent antipodean in Andrew Blowers, and that looks like being a battle royal. Certainly Pinks and Big Red and Axe will fill the back row berths and then it looks like young Magnus Lund will be asked to cover the back 3 from the bench.

It is in the backs however that I think sale will have the advantage. With Stan and Frank looking dangerous against the cheetahs, Vorgan running absolutely everything and Bond giving us excellent midfield penetration, not to mention BVS putting his kicking boots on, I’m sure this is an area where Sale will want to expose. There has also been a rumour knocking around for the last few days, that Charlie may be part of the matchday squad, which will be an excellent boost if proved to be correct.

Incidentally, our league record in past 3 seasons against Northampton is:

Home – Played 3, Won 3, Lost 0

Away – Played 3, Won 1, Lost 2

So if we can continue this, then we will be set up for a good campaign

Glossopshark Prediction: Sale by 8 - 12

SAYUUUUUUUUULLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!