By apb
November 5 2004

So, its back to the ZP this week, and another Friday night game sees the visit of Northampton Saints, keen to get their league season back on track after a somewhat disasterous slump in form brought them to... (whisper it quietly....) below us in the table! So, if playing the numbers game then, Leeds should win.

We all know its never as simple as that, but if they're going to do it tonight, then surely Phil Davies has picked the very team that can. All the usual suspects are there, with Tim Stimpson making a welcome return at fullback, and Iain Balshaw reverting to his more favoured wingers position after having played fullback against Grenoble.

Gordon Ross will be looking to impress the Scottish selectors for next week's test match, so expect to see him attempt to dictate the play early on. Tom Biggs is still preferred to the more experienced David Rees on the other wing, although its possible that tactical substitutions could come into play in this area later in the game. The regular centre pairing of Snyman and Bell continues, and the dependable Alan Dickens is favoured over Scottish U21 prospect Mark McMillan.

In the forwards, Tom Palmer makes his return from injury at lock, and Scott Morgan retains his place alongside him at the expense of Chris Murphy who warms the bench. In the front row, Mark Regan will be sparring with his England oppo Steve Thompson, and this will be an interesting area for discussion as regards England selection for the Canda game next week.

Of course, I'm saving him till last. At tighthead, we welcome TykesRugby.co.uk's very own Rayno Gerber to Yorkshire. This young prop, at 20 stone and six foot three, is a very weighty addition to the squad, and he comes match fit after his time with the Free State Cheetahs and their run to the final of the Currie Cup. We are looking forward to seeing the big fella make his name at Leeds and regularly getting his name - and ours! - on the Headingley scoreboard.


Who Will Win, Then?

Both teams have had a change of recent form by the interruption of European rugby. Saints have got themselves out of their losing streak - fairly pummelling Llanelli last week, whereas Leeds stuttered rather badly, losing to Grenoble in the final analysis by the odd point in 53. So, will it be the Saints boys on the up, with the traditionally vocal support behind them, or will it be Leeds, with a strong team but with a worrying loss just last week?

Of course I'm not objective and favour a Leeds win, but I genuinely believe they can do it. I'll predict a Tykes win, but it'll be close, and it'll be forwards oriented. Prediction: 20-16 to the boys in blue.....

Teams:

Leeds Tykes

15 Tim Stimpson
14 Iain Balshaw
13 Chris Bell
12 Andre Snyman
11 Tom Biggs
10 Gordon Ross
9 Alan Dickens
1 Mike Shelley
2 Mark Regan
3 Rayno Gerber
4 Scott Morgan
5 Tom Palmer (c)
6 Jon Dunbar
7 Dan Hyde
8 Colm Rigney

16 Gavin Kerr
17 Rob Rawlinson
18 Michael Cusack
19 Chris Murphy
20 Alix Popham
21 Mark McMillan
22 David Rees


Northampton Saints:

15 Bruce Reihana
14 Wylie Human
13 Marc Stcherbina
12 Chris Hyndman
11 Ben Cohen
10 Paul Grayson
9 Mark Robinson
1 Chris Budgen
2 Steve Thompson
3 Robbie Kempson
4 Selborne Boome
5 Damien Browne
6 Andrew Blowers
7 Corne Krige (captain)
8 Grant Seely

16 Dan Richmond
17 Brett Sturgess
18 Ed O’Donoghue
19 Mark Soden
20 Johnny Howard
21 Shane Drahm
22 Andy Vilk