Northampton Saints
News: HC: Northampton Saints vs Leinster - Match Preview
By St Dormouse
December 6 2013
Around 15 months ago I decided to have a go at my first match preview for this website. The match was against Wasps and the writing revolved around the fact that I still held a deep seated grudge due to the fact that they had ruined my first ever trip to Twickers by giving us a damn good hiding in the cup final 12 years before. So you can see where this is going already.
NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs. LEINSTER RUGBY
Saturday, 7th December 2013 - 6pm (Sky)
FRANKLIN'S GARDENS, NORTHAMPTON
MATCH PREVIEW
Apart from a day trip with a few mates to watch Rushden and Diamonds in a playoff final, my first meaningful visit to The Millennium Stadium was similarly messed up by those beastly boys in blue from across the ogin. After a great first half, the half time whistle stopped the Saints in full flow and they never threatened again. Indeed the Leinster chaps couldn’t believe their luck as they ambled to a convincing win, taking time to have a cup of tea and a fag between tackles. It was obvious to all who observed that the season had caught up with the lads and they didn’t have a thing left in the tank. Cue the much trumpeted complaints from English based fans about the fact that the huge Irish squads can rest and rotate their top players because of the pathetic nature of the Celtic league while the English clubs have a strict Salary cap and have to play in the competitive Premiership week in week out. Indeed for teams like Munster and Leinster the HC is the be all and end all, the whole purpose of the rugby year. It’s obvious whose players would be in better shape come Finals week.
I’m hoping for far more from my team this Saturday. It’s not even Christmas and despite the loss of Ben and GP the squad as a whole should be fighting fit and up for the battle ahead. While the team may not have performed at their best over the last couple of weeks we have all seen what they are capable of when their tails are up. Without doubt they need to be at their very best this weekend taking on a team who are a who’s who of Irish Rugby. Reminiscent of the great Munster team that visited the Gardens back in 2009 this team is packed with quality international stars, many of whom only missed out on what would have been a famous win against the All Blacks by the puff of a whistle.
So where can this match be won and lost and who are we up against?
Front Row
I would expect Alex Waller, Dylan and Ma’afu to start. Waller has proved himself to be up for the challenge and Ma’afu seems to give us a bit more in the scrum, unfortunately he is no Tiny in the loose but it’s give and take. Dylan is particularly hated by the Irish and is regarded as a thug. I’ll give you a clue guys, don’t stick your paws in his mouth and he will not attempt to bite them off...Seemples! They will attempt to rile him and he needs to keep his cool and deliver one of his one trademark bullish performances. Against them we could see a front row of Cian Healy, Sean Cronin and Mike Ross, scary thought and there are those that would argue for Jack McGrath and Martin Moore to start with the bigger names coming off the bench later. We should be competitive in the scrum but it’s all down to how referee Nigel ‘ON YOUR FEET’ Owens sees things. Expect the usual lottery.
2nd Row
For me it has to be Day and Courtney. With Dylan’s accurate throwing and Day’s leadership, this pair is a joy to behold and with Woody in the backrow the lineout this year has been superb. Against them probably Devin Toner if he recovers from a knock and the abrasive Mike McCarthy ahead of 35 year old ex pogue and Welford road panto villain Leo Cullen who is yet to start this season after a long lay off.
Back Row
Given the choice I would have Courtney, Day, Samu, Dickinson, and Woody all starting but there is no point putting all your eggs in one basket so I would expect to see Dowson starting with Samu on the bench to add grunt later on. There are, of course plenty of permutations with Calum and Van Velze also available so don’t take my word on that front. Whoever plays in the back row they will have to be at their best to match the likes of Sean O Brien, Shane Jennings, Jamie Heaslip and Kevin McLaughlin. Stop S.O.B and Leinster lose a massive weapon.
Half Backs
While Dicko has suffered an understandable dip in form after his heroics with England I have yet to see the magic of Khan. Saying that Khan obviously knows how to play the Magners/Rabo way so maybe Jim will give him a go. Either way there is quality on the bench should it be required. Smyler picks himself, dead eye off the tee and gaining confidence weekly around the field. Sometimes he can even kick a penalty more than 10 yards! He may end up renewing old acquaintances with Jimmy Gopperth, a similar player in many ways or Leinster may go with the more exiting but possibly less dependable Ian Madigan. Luckily the catalyst for our woes at Cardiff Johnny Sexton has chosen to peddle his wares in France. At scrum half they have great options, the strong and stable Isaac Boss or the more elusive Eoin Reddan.
Centre
The loss of George Pisi and the possible injuries to Wilson and Elliott, as well as Ben’s long term injury means the back line is guess work for me. Ideally I would like to see Luther and Dom continuing their reunion. If Ben was fit then I would have preferred Wilson in the middle but he could end up at full back, or if Glenn Dickson plays full back Wilson could still start in the centre, or if Wilson is injured he won’t start at all....see what I mean? Whatever happens this area could be crucial. Luther’s role has to be mixed up. If he is just used as a battering ram then Leinster will cover him and wrap him up in the choke tackle, much perfected and beloved of Irish sides. Mixed and matched as a runner, decoy and link he can create havoc. His passing has improved but what is absolutely driving me wild at the moment is our inability to get the wingers into space. By the time we crab sideways and get the ball to North he is in as much danger of tripping over a steward as he is of being tackled. If it gets out to the smaller lads like Collins or Jamie then they are likely to end up in row c. Between Smyler and the centre partnership they must work out what needs to be done. Another bugbear is the centres not passing the ball at all and missing blatant scoring opportunities. Things need to improve dramatically because up against them there is Gordon D’Arcey and a certain Brian O Driscoll. You may have heard of him? Rumours abound that he will be unable to play because of concussion. I will believe that when I see it. Pretty certain old Lazarus will be there or there abouts on the day. If nothing else I would consider it a privilege to have him grace our turf, I’m sure when he limps/crawls/ gets carried off on 60 minutes the sulking Lion will get a great round of applause.
Back 3
I hope George North is back after his expensive exploits, but he will take time to fit in again. I presume Pisi K will start on the other wing with the options given above at full back. Maybe if Jamie is fit he will start ahead of Pisi. Whatever happens I consider the back 3 a bit of a weakness simply due to the fact that we have had no consistency for a while. Expect lots of up and unders from the Irish. North is not safe under the high ball and with the likes of Rob Kearney and Luke Fitzgerald charging up field it would be a sensible tactic. Zane Kirchner or Dave Kearney will probably fill the other wing with Fergus McFadden out with a broken hand.
To finish things off, if the Saints play as we know they can then we will have a blinding match. Despite the big names leinster have hardly set the world alight yet and traditionally don’t start firing until the knockout stages. There is no reason to fear them and every reason to be confident. However, we are top of the yellow card league in the Aviva and while I think things are improving discipline will again be vital. I also wonder if Leinster paid any attention to the Newcastle match and will be content just to let us run ourselves ragged against them before letting rip in the second half (again). Frustration can set in and mistakes will be exploited. It will be tough and 4 points in my opinion will be brilliant.
As for us fans? Well remember that cold night in October 2009? Under the floodlights, plenty of food and ale, an atmosphere never seen before or since. Let’s hope we can recreate that with a similar result. Next week it’s over the sea to Dublin, they have reportedly sold nearly 40,000 tickets for that!! Let’s show them what 13500 can do in Northampton.
COME ON YOU SAINTS!!!
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Stumbleupon06/12/2013 14:56
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Many thanks!
A very nice touch with the addition about BOD hopefully he doesn't leave the field, but if he does and gets a reception like you suggested, it shows what separates this sport from the rest
Quote:limecat
match preview from the other side of the fence: leinsterfans preview
Thanks for the link, limecat - good article.
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