Northampton Saints v Cornish All Blacks

NL1 – Saturday, 26^th April 2008, 3pm

Franklin’s Gardens

Match Preview

Saints sign off from National Division One

This Saturday Saint’s journey of recovery through National Division 1 comes to an end when they host the Cornish All Blacks at Franklin’s Gardens in the last game of the season. What a season it’s been! After the long slow and painful decline that culminated in relegation seeing saints win again has been a panacea for the supporters. It’s not always been pretty, clever or pointing the way to a bright future but “winners are grinners” and winning any which way is a sure fire way of repairing a broken team’s spirit. That decline may have been painful to watch, imagine how it’s been to be caught up in it as a player?

Under Jim Mallinder’s careful guidance in the comparatively safe environment of ND1 Saint’s esprit de corps has been rediscovered rebuilt and refreshed for a renewed attempt on the GP. The league and the cup double were very much key staging posts on this journey and with these secured Saints might feel they can ease up and look forward to a summer of rest. If Nick Johnson’s arrival hasn’t told them that the holiday camp is closed for the summer, the fact that Newbury became the first ND 1 side to earn a try bonus point last week should be a timely reminder that the summer re fit will be just as much a part of their recovery. Like Newbury, who were one of the sides in this division unfazed by Saints lofty pedigree and simply played their rugby their way, this weekends visitors from Launceston have plenty of spirit and determination. 

The Cornish All Blacks may be caught up in a relegation battle going into the last game of the season and having been on the end of a 7-72 drubbing at the “away” fixture would be fearful of their prospects this weekend against the star studded jewel encrusted, double winning Saints. Doubtless they will draw upon their spirit epitomised by their No 7 who repeated charged at all of Myler’s place kicks when the two sides last met even when to all intents and purposes the cause was lost. In many respects this fine example of spirit in the face of odds has been a feature of ND1 and probably helped Saints rediscover theirs. The CABS will draw upon it in spades in search of at least a bonus point and will take heart from Newbury’s example last week that the end of season party mood at Saints will mean they have every chance of getting it.

Saints on the other hand need to step up from the result last weekend and sign off from the division in style. It may seem overly critical top say they didn’t do this at the cup final or at Newbury last week, but if they would like to spend a summer continuing to rebuild and prepare from next season away an emphatic win with little error and a sense or purpose would send a clear statement of intent

Sentiment has not been allowed to get in the way of the pragmatic aim of winning rugby and the match day 22 will contain the usual mix of experience and youth. As the season finale though with several long serving names leaving the club at the end of the season I expect Jim will name them in the squad for one last run out in the GB&G. This isn’t only sentiment as the second leg of the A league final on the following Monday means much of Saints youthful talent being held in reserve for that. As they’ve always done these club stalwarts will step up one last time and leave our youngsters fresh for  Mondays final and a chance ( albeit slim) to add to Saints silverware. It’s down to us to show them our thanks and appreciation for all their efforts and for being a part of the regeneration of Saintly spirit.

My guess at the likely squad:

Backs:
Joe Ansbro, Chris Ashton, John Brake, Paul Diggin, James Downey, Will Harries, Stephen Myler, Bruce Reihana, Mark Robinson, Carlos Spencer, Neil Starling.

Forwards:
Mark Easter, Darren Fox, Chris Budgen, Dylan Hartley, Mark Hopley, Ben Lewitt, Matt Lord, Euan Murray, Alex Rae, Paul Shields, Tom Smith, Soane Tonga’uiha, Paul Tupai.

There are still one or two records to tilt at, namely the most points in a season, and that will be used to motivate the Saints for one last effort before the summer rest and reorganisation. Saints will be too strong for the CABS and I see the wining margin being at least 40, if not 50, leaving our visitors anxiously waiting on results elsewhere. So amidst any celebrations spare a thought for them as we know how it feels to be waiting on relegation results! So enjoy the “Dr Who “moment and say goodbye to your Saints as it will be a different side that runs out for the first game next season.

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