By David Wilton
December 26 2013

After taking the points with the last kick of the match against Wasps last time out, Northampton Saints are again in Aviva Premiership action this weekend as they welcome Bath Rugby to Franklin's Gardens. Regular COYSDC contributer, Bonso, takes a look ahead to the game...

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs BATH RUGBY

Saturday, 28th December 2013 - 3pm

FRANKLIN'S GARDENS, NORTHAMPTON

MATCH PREVIEW

There once was a time when the visitors from the pretty city were the benchmark for winning rugby, even when it was not so pretty they managed to dog out win after win, many in injury time. Too often it seemed that against Bath we would dominate territory and possession and then look at the scoreboard and we would be two tries down. However the sun has now set on that era and the likes of Guscott and Hall etc no longer ply their trade at the Recreation Ground. The current Bath side has no shortage of talent or resources, even using the Fairfax ancestral home of Farleigh Hall as its training base, but the trick is how these are blended and so far it has not quite worked. 

Certainly it is an intriguing time to be a follower of Bath with the interesting question of whether the sudden departure of Gary Gold will settle the side or whether it will be the start of robust off field structure to take Bath onward. This term though Bath have been playing well if unspectacularly and coming in quite nicely under the radar are only 4 points below Saints. This makes Saturday’s encounter a veritable 8 pointer.

On to the match then which should be a cracker.

The Bath pack is very well organised, very solid and should provide stiff competition for Saint’s also very solid and organised pack. I would however think that Saint’s will nudge the contest here providing we can keep control of Louw at the breakdown and keep him and Fearns from linking effectively between the forwards and backs. I would also expect to see Saints having limited ascendancy in the set piece although not to demean Bath who are pretty good themselves at this aspect of play. Saints must however do one thing and that is to not allow Stringer to impose his own tempo on the game. Disrupt this and Ford will be under pressure at 10 and the game will get a lot easier for Saints.

The Saints I would expect to field their strongest side with Hartley et al returning to the starting 15 after their rest against Wasps last week. We can probably expect the improving Ken Pisi to remain at full back with Tom Collins making way for George North to return to his wing as he makes way for George Pisi‘s return from the naughty step.

To sum up this game on paper should be close and hard fought. However games are played on grass so I think Saints provided they can keep up the intensity and play with accuracy and patience will have in the end too much for Bath and I think will win by 7-10 points. If Saints fall a little short in those 3 virtues well Bath will make Saints pay.

News: AP: Northampton Saints vs Bath Rugby - Match Preview

Discussion started by ComeOnYouSaints.com , 26/12/2013 16:21

ComeOnYouSaints.com
26/12/2013 16:21

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Phil.
26/12/2013 16:23

Nice one, Bons - many thanks!

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St Francis
26/12/2013 20:31

Good stuff... Thanks!

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Flinstone Saint
26/12/2013 20:35

It's shaping up to be a good one. Thanks Bonso.

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St Marlowe
26/12/2013 23:35

Thanks Bonso
IMHO - this could be the season-defining match.
COYS

David L

What if there were no hypothetical questions?

- Live wrong and preposterously

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Robby Richmond
27/12/2013 01:38

great bonso, brilliant write up

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Saint Dom in Hanoi
27/12/2013 08:39

A very nicely written, circumspect preview - captures my caution exactly.

Most of all, I agree that Saints must be accurate...


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

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Howlin
27/12/2013 12:27

Absolutely correct Bonso. I am nervous already. COYS

Saint til I die

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