By Ballagher
November 1 2012

After a disappointing reverse to Saracens at Franklin's Gardens last weekend it's "out of the frying pan and into the fire" for Northampton Saints on Saturday as they travel up the A5199 to take on Leicester Tigers at Welford Road in another vital Aviva Premiership fixture. COYSDC contributor, ballagher, takes a look ahead to the game...

LEICESTER TIGERS vs. NORTHAMPTON SAINTS

AP: Saturday, 3rd November 2012 - 2.15pm (ESPN)

WELFORD ROAD, LEICESTER

MATCH PREVIEW

Tigers and Saints.  I've said it before but, for me, this is the domestic rugby equivalent of the Ashes; with Saints the (often inferior) England to Leicester's (usually dominant) Oz.  There’s always just that little bit extra.  Whilst sometimes, the matches fail to live up to expectations (with both sides stopping the other from playing), I would estimate that about half of my most vivid rugby memory highlights are from Saints v Tigers clashes, and half of those at Welford Road.

I remember

There’s the general memories; like the huge number of Tigers’ supporters making little noise leading up to kick-off until the foot-stamping, hand clapping, crescendo that greets their team.  Then there’s their wide playlist of songs with the complicated lyrics to verses two and three (and seventeen and eighteen).

Then there’s the more specific memories; from near and far.

I was sitting in what is now known as the Caterpillar Stand, when I remember the inexorable swaying, mauling green, white and red pack ten yards from the try line, marshalled at the back by the “letter G”.  With a certain Rory Underwood in position on his wing staring longingly at a 20 yard blind-side with only one player to beat (knowing his chances of getting the ball from Dean Richards and co were slimmer than a wafer).

I was standing in the Crumbie stand, with Tigers’ supporting friends from work, on that day when I remember Corry, Chandler floored, Ed Morrison red card, last minute Tigers try from nowhere in the corner to win it, except Grayson, 3 points, draw.

I was sitting in the area behind the Crumbie one Saturday evening when Tigers on a record-breaking winning home run, 5 metre line-out, Budge circles to the front, try!, Vass down the blind side from a scrum, another!, meal at “Friends” Indian on the Golden Mile, happy day.

I was near the LRI end of the ground when I remember an internationally starved Tigers team, gallows humour, Henry T, “he’s a nutter” said the Tigers’ fan next to me, Blowers attempted tackle and floored, Beal’s own-half drop goal, later a Garryowen into the Saints 22, “drop it” yells a lone unsporting voice, “he already has you idiot”, funny day.

I was sitting in the Alliance & Leicester Stand, with another Tigers’ supporting friend, when I remember Manu T, Ashton, Wayne Barnes (Wayne Sleep more like), Goodliffe (good grief), yellow?, yellow?, Crumbie try saving “forward” call, one that got away day.

I was watching on the telly when I remember Alesana T, Ashton (again), hair pulling, Wayne Barnes (again), red?, red?, light scrum, recovery, “we can  win this”, ball given away, late break from inside own half, Foden covering, Murphy!, cross day.

 Alas I shan’t remember any rugby from this Saturday’s encounter but I will be there beforehand.  Please give generously to the bucket-collection for Steps. 

Please read this... http://www.rugbynetwork.net/main/s99/st179751.htm 

But the anticipation builds unabated.

Narrow view

This season so far, it’s clear that neither Saints nor Tigers have been consistently firing on all cylinders.  Even when winning (and both sit safely in the top half of the table) the performances haven’t been convincing for a full 80 minutes.  Both have suffered a rare defeat at home (albeit against good opposition) and, each in case, by more than a seven point losing bonus point margin.   Saints have also lost once away to lowly London Irish and thus, seemingly, playing them into form.  Tigers too have lost on the road, albeit to an increasingly strong looking Gloucester (our opening day victory at Kingsholm is looking better as time goes on) and they had a good draw against Sarries at Wembley.

But all this recent form (or lack of, according to the gloom and doom merchants) will count for little.  Why?  Well two reasons.  Firstly because these encounters don’t often follow form.  On countless occasions I’ve left Welford Road wondering why Saints haven’t played to the same high standard as in the previous weeks.  The answer of course is that Tigers don’t let us (and I’m sure the same is true in reverse).  Secondly of course, it’s the start of AI (which stands for awful interruption) season.  And I can’t get my head around who is available for selection.  Whilst some players are clearly out with injury, and some because they are in an international squad I’m not sure whether the likes of Tonga’uiha and Castrogiovanni will be available.

Widescreen

The last time I previewed this fixture (back in January 2011), I included a table of the results between the two sides since our return to the top flight.  At the time this showed the home team in each case dominating throughout.  If that wasn't depressing enough (obviously given that we're away this time out), since that time it's been Tigers all the way in meaningful fixtures:

So clearly, come Saturday, Tigers will make it six on the trot!  Except of course that’s not the way it works.  And I’ve got a hunch that this time we’re going to get the rub of the green.

The teams

By convention, I understand that the match previewer is supposed to give their best guess of the two teams.  Well frankly I don't have a clue and the AIs only make matters worse. So my guess, for what it's worth I think Northampton will start with:

May, K Pisi, G Pisi, Burrell, Artemyev, Lamb, Roberts, Tonga'uiha, Haywood, Mujati, Manoa, Sorrenson, Dowson (capt), Harrison, Van Velze.

I’ll leave you to read Chris C’s article for a possible Tigers squad.  Indeed, for a more informed preview of both teams, you could a lot worse than visit the Tigers’ board.

The score

Score prediction?  Maybe the question is what would be a good result for Saints?  A win, however ugly (and there are many who would argue – given the opponents - the uglier the better) would be fantastic.  A losing bonus would not be unacceptable.  Even a bigger loss (all things considered) is not going to spell the end of the season.  But I can’t help but think that Saints, more than Tigers, would benefit from momentum that a narrow win could create.

So, Saints by 4.