By Tom Carmichael
February 28 2013

Northampton Saints' pursuit of a top four finish in the Aviva Premiership continues apace this weekend as they welcome London Irish to Franklin's Gardens on Saturday afternoon. Regular COYSDC contributor, tws, looks forward to the game...

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs. LONDON IRISH

AP: Saturday, 2nd March 2013 - 3pm

FRANKLIN'S GARDENS, NORTHAMPTON

MATCH PREVIEW

I am writing this prior to setting off up the A21, M25 and M1, via my aged Mum’s, to join the toadies, the pragmatists, the moaners and the mouthpieces of the great unwashed at the most important meeting of the representatives of the Third Estate since the gathering in a Versailles Indoor Tennis Court in 1789. Hopefully there will be no storming of Franklins Gardens and no guillotinings. I predict a uniting of wills behind our great club.

Whatever the outcome, it’s rugby as usual on Saturday afternoon. There were a few green shoots of recovery last week; a determined team, a vociferous crowd, greater engagement with the fans and a dramatic win. All is still not right off the pitch and there were mistakes galore on the pitch, but the feelgood factor is returning and smiles on the faces of players and supporters alike.

But would you rather be a Saints’ fan or a fan of the NotNots? This year they have lost their entire coaching team (mainly to Bath) they have been struck with injuries and impending and threatened desertions, Chris Hala’ufia is suspended again, they sit firmly in the relegation zone and even their ardent fan from BBC Radio Berkshire, Graham McKechnie, has switched camps to Northampton. All though is not bleak for Irish. They thrashed us back in October when we top of the league, they looked impressive in a Madjet win on Sunday against high-flying Wasps, they have several winnable home fixtures coming up and London Welsh are in freefall whilst facing a probable points reduction for repeatedly fielding an unregistered player. All the indications are that Irish will still be in the Big Time in September.

As for the teams: Remarkably Bomber has released all our big boys bar Tom Wood. Faced with a major dilemma at hooker after Mikey Haywood’s balloon throwing of last week, Jim is spared a decision with the news that our charismatic skipper is back. Courtney’s back too. There may be instructions on where and for how long he plays. With Daisy back from suspension and Samu in imperious form last week; number 6 looks a distinct possibility for Air Courts. Zorro looks likely to be benched , but there must be a question mark about Daisy’s ability to last with so little game time under his belt. It might be Dows versus Ben Nutley for the 7 shirt. It would be tough, but logical, for Ben to miss out. Will Mooj be fit? We were told he would be last week, but he spent the game in civvies in the stand.

In the backs, the only question, for me, is at 12. There’s a case for unleashing Luther against Saints’ old boy, Shane Geraghty. Tackling was never Shane’s forte. I suspect Tom May or Dom Waldouck is a more likely selection.

As for the NotNots; there’ll be no Joe Ansbro, O’Leary, Saints-bound Corbs, Gray, Joseph, Danaher and suspended Hala’ufia, A few other possible replacements line the treatment room. It’s a lot of players out from low-budget squad. The lovely David Paice is fit and danger still lurks in the shape of Marland Yarde, Topsy Ojo, Sailesi Tagicakibau (probably off the bench), the wonderfully named Ofisa Treviranus and the enigma that is Shane Geraghty. Who know what our old mate will bring to the party. They had a good win at home last week and a thrashing at the Rec the week before. Their form at home is vastly better than their form on the road. They may be targeting those home games and Welsh’s predicament will have taken some of the pressure off. They certainly won’t fancy it up front against our forwards. They had six forwards on the bench recently and will probably do the same.

Possible teams...

Saints (although Burrell/May, Nutley, Mercey could start)

Ben Foden

James Wilson

George Pisi

Dom Waldouck

Jamie Elliott

Stephen Myler

Lee Dickson

Soane Tonga’uiha

Dylan Hartley

Brian Mujati

Samu Manoa

Christian Day

Courtney Lawes

GJ Van Velze

Phil Dowson.

 Subs: Alex Waller, Mikey Haywood, Tom Mercey, Mark Sorenson, Ben Nutley, Martin Roberts, Ryan Lamb, Tom May.

Irish (possible)

Tom Homer

Topsy Ojo

Guy Armitage

Shane Geraghty

Marland Yarde

Ian Humphreys

Pat Phibbs

Max Lahiff

David Paice

Hani Auliku

George Skivington

Bryn Evans

Matt Garvey

Ofisa Treviranus

Jon Fisher/Jamie Gibson/Jebb Sinclair

Subs: Scott Lawson , Jerry Yanuyanatawe , Leo Halavatua, Kieron Low, two from Fisher/Gibson,/Sinclair, Jack Moates, Sailesi Tagicakibau

PREDICTION: Hold your hats: I go for a raucous crowd, a marauding Saints’ pack, a second half avalanche and, maybe just maybe, a bonus point win.

News: AP: Northampton Saints vs London Irish - Match Preview

Discussion started by ComeOnYouSaints.com , 28/02/2013 10:47

ComeOnYouSaints.com
28/02/2013 10:47

What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.

Reply Quote Report

Phil.
28/02/2013 10:55

Nice one, Tom.

Many thanks!

Reply Quote Report

StBleach
28/02/2013 10:57

"I go for a raucous crowd, a marauding Saints’ pack, a second half avalanche and, maybe just maybe, a bonus point win." --- and so do I.. nice report

Reply Quote Report

Ecksile
28/02/2013 11:16

Quote:

StBleach
"I go for a raucous crowd, a marauding Saints’ pack, a second half avalanche and, maybe just maybe, a bonus point win."

Second half avalanche, no I don't think so, we'll just be getting on top of you by then. As for the bonus point win, again no, I think we'll be happy with just beating you at home!

Great preview as always, accurate, just the last bit you got the wrong way round.

Reply Quote Report

Saint Tim
28/02/2013 11:22

Great stuff Tom



“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

Reply Quote Report

Howlin
28/02/2013 11:59

Ah a fellow pragmatist! (until the last bit ) Good preview, I hope you are right.

Saint til I die

Reply Quote Report

riverlodge
28/02/2013 12:29

great preview. i love, but unfortunately don't quite yet share, the optimism level though.

still, always hopeful. i though we had to win all three against wuss, barf and the notnots (and then also at adams park) to have a chance of top 4. with luck, and despite not playing brilliantly, that might still be possible after saturday.

btw always a pleasure to spend time with the (unfortunately few) irish fans who come up. safe trip and good (to a point) visit, you will be welcome to a LBP!

Reply Quote Report

The Buck
28/02/2013 12:46

Very enjoyable read. Really looking forward to the game and shouting the team on from the terrace!! As supporters lets make sure we do our bit. Pack out the gardens, vocally support the team and cheer them on what ever. COYS Saints by 11-15

Reply Quote Report

tedge
28/02/2013 13:41

Good preview Tom although your result forecast cannot be borne out by the facts of each team's current form. A win for Saints of any kind will not be easy - Irish will be a lot more desperate for points than Bath appeared to be last week.

Reply Quote Report

OldPete
28/02/2013 14:38

we need to seriously Whup someone -it might as well be them.

Reply Quote Report

Duckonstilts
28/02/2013 18:49

I think we might be a little rough with shane like Goode the other week. If we can keep them under pressure and play as much rugby from the set piece we should be ok. Still need to score points though so I dont mind if all we do is kick for the first 60mins. If we do see a gap though may aswell have a punt.

Reply Quote Report

LaurieK
01/03/2013 10:33

Good to remember we have rugby as well as a forum. Great intro to the important stuff, Tom. Thanks.

Reply Quote Report

Goto: Forum List•Message List•Search• Log In

Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.

We record all IP addresses on the Sportnetwork message boards which may be required by the authorities in case of defamatory or abusive comment. We seek to monitor the Message Boards at regular intervals. We do not associate Sportnetwork with any of the comments and do not take responsibility for any statements or opinions expressed on the Message Boards. If you have any cause for concern over any material posted here please let us know as soon as possible by e-mailing abuse@sportnetwork.net