By Smurf
December 30 2015

COYSDC Stalwart, Smurf, takes a look ahead to the visit of Exeter Chiefs to Franklin's Gardens on New Year's Day in Round Eight of the 2015/16 Aviva Premiership season...

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs EXETER CHIEFS

AP: New Year's Day 2016 - 3pm (BT Sport)

FRANKLIN'S GARDENS, NORTHAMPTON

MATCH PREVIEW

I would apologise for the pessimism of the following preview, but (a) the whole Christmas period really gets on my nerves and (b) Saints recent form fully deserves it.

After a bleak ending to 2015 – losing to London Irish, who had (until Boxing Day) not managed a point, let alone a league win this season – we now face Exeter on New Year’s Day, a team sitting in second place only two points behind the so far unbeaten Saracens.

While there were positives to be found in the post-Christmas defeat at the Madejski – including finding the try line more than once for only the second time in the Premiership this season, and Teimana Harrison keeping up his top class performances so far – poor handling and tackling let the Irish score just as many tries as Saints, including the last minute penalty try which gave them the deserved victory.

Exeter will be no pushover. Even ignoring the erratic form of the hosts, the West Country side are a real challenge - undefeated in the league since the first round match at the Rec and two wins from four in a Champions Cup group, with defeats away to Clermont and Ospreys.

The Saints will have little to celebrate over New Year’s Eve. 2015 records make poor reading for the 2013/14 Premiership champions – Played 29, Won 14, Drew 2, Lost 13. Hopefully this auld acquaintance can be forgot on Friday but not many in the crowd will be too confident.

Unless the Exeter team were visited by three ghosts of rugby telling them to give up their high-scoring ways and go back to proper, boring, ten man rugby then the Saints could find themselves in the firing line – after all, the visitors are the top try and points scorers in the Premiership this season.

Running low on pessimism now, time for the teams…

I won’t try to predict the Exeter team but expect to see Nowell, Jess and Dollman running back the aimless box kicks; Steenson (and possibly ex-Saint Will Hooley) kicking the penalties for our indiscipline and Parling, Salvi and Waldrom showing our forwards how it should be done.

Saints team may well consist of:

Foden; K Pisi, G Pisi, Burrell, North; Myler, Fotuali’i; A Waller, Hartley, Hill; Lawes, Day; Gibson, Harrison, Dickinson.

Bench: E Waller, Haywood, Denman, Matfield, Paterson, Dickson, Hanrahan, Collins.

Prediction? There will be a lot of New Year’s hangovers in the ground. The game won’t help.

News: AP: Saints vs Chiefs - New Year's Day Preview

Discussion started by ComeOnYouSaints.com , 30/12/2015 17:36

ComeOnYouSaints.com
30/12/2015 17:36

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Flinstone Saint
30/12/2015 17:46

Lol. You didn't disappoint, Simon.

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SaintPaddy
30/12/2015 18:44

Thank for the preview - a good read. Albeit that I consider myself a glass half full person, I understand and share your pessimism, though I sincerely hope the team will "click" and things get better.

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Saint Tim
30/12/2015 19:19

“Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one.”

Benjamin Franklin

Tetleys Block F E143

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Stockers
30/12/2015 19:25

Nice one Simon, thanks.

"I won’t try to predict the Exeter team but expect to see Nowell, Jess and Dollman running back the aimless box kicks;"

Ain't that the truth!

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OldPete
30/12/2015 20:37

I still live in hope of Smurf joining the rest of C bloc in several choruses of " Are you watching Stuart Barnes "

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Sarge
30/12/2015 23:14

And if anyone needs reminding, Exeter have beaten us in the last three meetings: The 2013-14 LV Final and both Aviva games last season.

But then again, Exeter lost on their last visit to the Gardens - just a shame that they were playing Saracens instead of Saints.

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StBleach
31/12/2015 06:37

Yes Smurf, that cheered me up - on a positive note, those that attend the gardens this Friday will definitely be seeing a load of tries which is a bonus i suppose. Dont think i will be tuning in to watch this one as it hurts too much.

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Saint Maul
31/12/2015 09:07

Whilst we aren't playing brilliantly:

- Saints have made the play-offs for the last 6 years. Exeter have never made the play-offs
- We are 5th placed, playing at home against 2nd-placed
- Exeter are doing worse than us in Europe (they have lost 2 games).
- When we have lost they have all been close (bar Racing away)
- Exeter have important players injured too: Slade, Cowan-Dickie and Ewers.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015:12:31:09:12:45 by SaintMaul.

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riverlodge
31/12/2015 14:39

I wish I shared St Mauls optimism.
But having been to the Madejski all I am hoping for tomorrow is a much reduced error count and evidence of good decision making - a performance to give some hope.
Still, will be there as always. COYS!

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