By Simon Robinson
October 24 2013

It's back to Aviva Premiership action for Northampton Saints this weekend as the Jimmies welcome Saracens to Franklin's Gardens in a top-of-the-table clash. Regular COYSDC contributor, Simon Robinson (smurf), has a look at what we can expect this coming Saturday afternoon...

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs. SARACENS

AP: Saturday, 26th October 2013 - 3.15pm (BT Sport)

FRANKLIN'S GARDENS, NORTHAMPTON

MATCH PREVIEW

After an up and down pair of European fixtures for both sides, it’s back into domestic league action with first v second in the Premiership. Annoyingly, both teams will be missing many of their England internationals due to the RFU training camp, meaning a total of thirteen players might not take part in this fixture. Saints could be without Hartley, Corbisiero, Lawes, Wood, Dickson, Burrell and Foden. Saracens may be missing the Vunipola brothers, Farrell, Ashton, Tomkins and Goode.

Both Saints and Saracens have lost narrowly to a French side and beaten a Pro12 team in their opening round of Heineken Cup games: Saracens beating a determined Connacht in Galway before losing by a point to Toulouse at Wembley; Saints lost at the home of reigning French champions Castres before putting three tries past Ospreys at the Gardens.

Saints finally sorted out their discipline problems on Sunday, the first game of the season so far without at least one player in the sin bin. Defence seemed stronger as well, and it will need to be as they host the team with most points scored and least conceded. A win for Saints sees them close the gap to the leaders considerably; a loss means the gap is out to two wins before a third of the season is complete.

Team selection will see some significant changes, having lost nearly half the “cup final” team to England. Ma’afu has made a big impact in the scrum, so I would expect him to retain the tighthead slot. The versatility of the second/back row players means the loss of Lawes and Wood will hopefully not be too badly felt. In the backs, there’s a chance for a fit again Dom Waldouck to feature, though possibly only from the bench. Here’s my wildly inaccurate guess at the team, assuming we don’t get back any of the England internationals:

A Waller, Haywood, Ma’afu, Day, Manoa, Dowson, Clark, Dickinson; Fotuali’i, Myler, North, Wilson, G Pisi, Elliott, Diggin.

Bench: E Waller, McMillan, Denman, Verbakel, Nutley, Glynn, Waldouck, K Pisi.

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News: AP: Northampton Saints vs Saracens - Match Preview

Discussion started by ComeOnYouSaints.com , 24/10/2013 10:42

ComeOnYouSaints.com
24/10/2013 10:42

What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
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Phil.
24/10/2013 11:03

Good stuff, smurf.

Many thanks!

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Dave Jackson
24/10/2013 11:45

Good stuff. Think its hearts over minds putting Digger in the team!

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tws
24/10/2013 11:57

Quote:

Dave Jackson
Good stuff. Think its hearts over minds putting Digger in the team!

You're right on that one , Dave .

Come down to FG on Monday evening to see Digger with the Wandies.

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oldtoastersaint
24/10/2013 12:02

Is the 26th October 2103 a Saturday?

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Phil.
24/10/2013 12:38

Quote:

oldtoastersaint
Is the 26th October 2103 a Saturday?

I've no idea what you are talking about OTS...

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smurfomatic
24/10/2013 12:52

Dave - I put Digger in, assuming we didn't have Foden or Burrell. Being short of centres as well as full backs (so putting Wilson at 12), and not sure about the fitness of Waldouck or Glenn Dickson, who else would you have played?

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Dave Jackson
24/10/2013 12:56

Wilson FB. Maybe Tom Collins in Centre if Dom W not available. But as it happens we have Foden back.

Don't get me wrong would love to see Digger running out again for Saints.

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smurfomatic
24/10/2013 13:01

I went for the experience option considering the opposition, as you say we've got the England boys back so it doesn't matter.

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Saint Dom in Hanoi
24/10/2013 13:51

A finely tuned preview from the knowledgeable Smurf.

I wonder who will be at 10 for Sarries and how much they will miss Vunipolas ...

Is Dom the Duck match fit?


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

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StBleach
24/10/2013 16:16

Thanks for doing his at short notice smurf , much appreciated.

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Broonie
24/10/2013 16:21

Not really too much pressure from league positions etc , that's slightly peripheral at this stage, but we really need to keep rebuilding Fortress FG after some of the embarrassments of last
season

we also need to ramp up the noise and intimidation.

It may be the demographic of the increased membership/watchership, but we are really becoming quite "miss marple-ish" imo. I'm getting bored being stared at like a barbarian with 2 heads when I add my dulcet tones in support of our team.

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Bob Stainsby
24/10/2013 16:44

Agreed Broonster sometimes I am a lone lunatic voice in the South trying to kick start some of the folded arms brigade. If we can't get the VOLUME UP BIG TIME NOW Gawd help us when Monsteroops! LONSTER pich up.

Top of the League 2014-2015 Season

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oldtoastersaint
24/10/2013 18:36

Phil,I like to plan well ahead, 26 October 2103 falls on a Friday so it'll be an evening kick off I fancy. Will Sarries still be solvent though without their sugar daddy?

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John Rickerd
24/10/2013 18:42

What calendar are you using ?

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CraiginWootton
24/10/2013 21:10

Quote:

Broonie
I'm getting bored being stared at like a barbarian with 2 heads when I add my dulcet tones in support of our team.

'Dulcet'? Surely some mistake?

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