By James Bruce
May 2 2013

It's third plays fourth this weekend as Northampton Saints travel to West London on Saturday afternoon to take on Harlequins in the final round of matches in the regular season of the Aviva Premiership. Both sides have already secured a play-off place but who they will play in the semi-finals is still very much up in the air. Regular COYSDC contributor, Wee Jim, takes a look ahead at an intriguing game...

HARLEQUINS vs NORTHAMPTON SAINTS

AP: Saturday, 4th May 2013 - 2.30pm (Sky)

TWICKENHAM STOOP, LONDON

MATCH PREVIEW

“It’s not always about the numbers”

Northampton Saints head to the Stoop for their last fixture in the regular league season before the playoffs. The top four has already been decided and bar some jockeying for positions the Saints are into the semi finals with a fairly good idea of who their opponents are likely to be.

You would be forgiven for thinking then that this was something of a dead rubber then with neither Harlequins nor Saints unduly bothered by the result. Far from it – this is a rugby match and they are there to be played and played to your utmost wherever you are and whatever your league position. The winning is a nice reward for your efforts but as we have seen already this season, the results and the numbers don’t always go your way.

Saints have certainly had a mixed season and are left with only the Aviva Premiership to play for – a trophy that has so far eluded them despite making the playoffs for the fourth successive time. Their form against the three sides also in the playoffs isn’t great either having lost 19 of the last 25 encounters. Oddly enough if they win the next three then it will read 19 of the last 28 which doesn’t make much better reading, except of course they will have won the Premiership! See, the funny thing about numbers is that you can make them tell almost any story.

Nevertheless it’s fair to say the season hasn’t lived up to all expectation and a strong finish is essential if only to sign off on a positive note. Saints’ away form has been good and their recent form overall has shown some real improvement after the tiny mid season blip. They will want to win on Saturday to maintain that momentum and carry it through to a difficult semi final – home or away, to whoever it may be, the semi finals will be a real test. The same is true for Harlequins though and they will want to win for much the same reason which is good for both sets of supporters. While, for one side, the numbers will add up and they’ll walk away winners, for us supporters we will see two great teams going at it for 80+ minutes trying to win. That should make for entertaining rugby whether you are watching it at the Stoop or in the comfort of an easy chair and the telly. By and large entertaining rugby is what we get when these sides meet which is why it’s one of my favourite fixtures home or away.  I think we are fairly evenly matched with Quins having a better offloading game and a better back line while Saints probably shade it in the front five and set piece.  Indeed I think for both sides to kick on and progress next season they need to take and develop the other’s strengths as their own.

I think fitness will dictate who starts for Saints on Saturday (did I tell you my specialist subject was a glimpse of the obvious?) and I’d imagine it will be a largely unchanged side from that which saw off Sale last week, lead by that Saintly Lion Dylan Hartley.  Possibly George Pisi starting if he’s fully recovered and I’d like to see Nutley get a run out as I think the more open game Quins play would suit him. Burrell deserves another start but I don’t think he will find the Quin’s defence easy to run through and he will need to be on alert when they attack with the ball in hand as they have some real pace in the backs especially Mike Brown.  Harlequins will be missing their captain Chris Robshaw through injury and he was been doubly unlucky to miss out on the Lions tour – I daresay this will spur them on to try and give him a win to end their regular season. So all in all it sets us up for what should be a cracking match in the sunshine. Much as I’d like Saints to win I think Quins will win at home but that won’t bother me unduly. Not because I want a certain team in the play offs either.  Although I’m disappointed when Saints lose and happy when they win both emotions fade fairly quickly and I’m usually left with the satisfaction of having been entertained watching two teams of skilful players trying to win a rugby match whilst having a pint or three with friends.

Safe journey to all you travellers and lets bleed green with boys as they step up to this next game of the season.  It’s by no means the last! 

So, Come On You Saints - up and at ‘em!

NEWS: AP: Harlequins vs Northampton Saints - Match Preview

Discussion started by ComeOnYouSaints.com , 02/05/2013 16:21

ComeOnYouSaints.com
02/05/2013 16:21

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Phil.
02/05/2013 16:26

Good work, Sir!

Many thanks.

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smurfomatic
02/05/2013 16:47

Thanks Jim, nice preview. Bit dubious about your maths regarding the wins against top 3 sides, but as you're only a chemist I'll let you off this time...

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Wyddy
02/05/2013 16:54

Good write up! Looking forward to a cracking game, as you say, rarely a dull moment between our two sides!

all the best and hope those who travel have an excellent time at the Stoop

Wyddy

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Saint Dom in Hanoi
02/05/2013 17:27

Bouncy stuff, full of good humour and optimism.

Let's hope by half-past four on Saturday we have seen Saints perform well and can look forward to making a successful trip to Saracens. Or Tiggs...


*I could agree with you - but then we'd both be wrong...*

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ernie b
02/05/2013 17:38

I think it is important for us to win this contest as we have been so close on the last couple of times at the Stoop where we don't have a bad record. I remember sitting in the expensive stand in the midst of a group of Quins fans and we beat them and although the vast majority thought they had been cheated by sir or that we were the next Tigers we were congratulated and expected to be the next premiership top side. In fact Quins went on to be just that top side and I believe and have believed, not through rose tinted glasses, that we have always had the better all round team and game to beat them. AND NOW IS THE TIME EVEN IF WE HAVE TO DO IT TWICE

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riverlodge
02/05/2013 21:26

good preview, would love to be there (and will be for 2 hrs in spirit only).

two or three guys on both sides likely aiming to prove gatland wrong, or influence lanacaster, so expect 100% from both teams. hope its a warm up for the final

COYS!

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Flinstone Saint
02/05/2013 21:54

Thanks for this Jim. Although there is really only pride riding on this game, like you, I am disappointed when we lose so I'll be shouting them on from the South Stand.

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StBleach
03/05/2013 04:54

Nice job James..

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GrubbyQuin
03/05/2013 10:24

Good preview Jim. Looking forward to welcoming the travellers to the Stoop tomorrow. Hope it stays fine for what should be a cracking game.

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