By Tom Carmichael
February 13 2014

After dogging out a win in the wet away to Exeter Chiefs last time out, Northampton Saints welcome Worcester Warriors to Franklin's Gardens this Saturday in a rare 3pm afternoon kick-off. Regular COYSDC contributor, Tom Carmichael (tws), takes a look ahead to the game...

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs WORCESTER WARRIORS

Saturday, 15th February 2014 - 3pm

FRANKLIN'S GARDENS, NORTHAMPTON

MATCH PREVIEW

CAN WUSS KEEP THEIR HEADS ABOVE WATER AT THE GARDENS?

Saracens shock defeat at home to London Irish and a gutsy win in terrible Exeter conditions have left our boys in top spot in the Premiership. Worcester Warriors come to town on Saturday looking for their first win of the league season. Surely everything points to another Saints’ triumph.

The Warriors’ Chief Executive has left today under a cloud, the centre of their beautiful city is flooded, the Warriors are at the bottom with no obvious lifeline, but they are optimistic that they are not drowned yet. Where does this optimism come from?

Last Friday night, Leicester Tigers escaped a Sixways ambush by the skin of their teeth. Worcester, without a league win for 17 games , lost by a point …23-22. After a humiliating annihilation at home to Exeter in the LV=, they found the skill and resolution to nearly create the upset of the season. That honour instead goes to the NotNots at Sarries. Plus ex-Saint Nick Johnston has upped the fitness levels to compete for 80 minutes. If truth be told, Leicester were short of more than half their team … doesn’t that have a familiar ring? But there’s belief at Worcester that all is not lost, Newcastle can’t buy a win and the two meet in a few weeks in the North East. There remains the little matter of no wins on the road since 1st January 2012.

Opinions were divided about the game at Sixways earlier in the season. It depends whether you believe Radio Northampton or those who were there. I won’t re-ignite that fiery debate.

Just to add flavour to Saturday’s pot, Ryan Lamb (the original marmite man) has ended his brief affair with Leicester and has joined Worcester this week, GJ van Velze has signed for Worcester for next season but may have a vital Saints role to play on Saturday, Gardens’ favourite Ben Foden may feature after a long lay-off and Wayne Barnes will be whistling. People please, please be nice to Mr Barnes ; however difficult that may be .

Worcester’s DoR, Dean Ryan, is threatening to take one ingredient out of the mix. Lamby probably won’t feature. He’s likely to stick with most of the men who nearly did it last week. The most prominent of these is Chis Pennell. If he played for anyone else, he’d surely get recognition for the Saxons at least. He’s signed again for Wuss and does just about everything bar drive the team bus. Perhaps he should consider that after the bus caught fire earlier in the season. He’s taken over the goal kicking from the wayward Warwick/Mieres axis. The forwards have some dog about them, although tight head is a weakness with Euan Murray still recovering from an incident at a barbeque. Mariano Galarza has impressed enough for Gloucester to sign him for next year and Michael Williams, Jonathan Thomas and Sam Betty with Leonardo Senatore on the bench are no mugs in the back row However they do struggle to score tries; only 11, I think, this year.

Here’s last Friday’s Team...

Pennell

Drauniniu

Grove

Fatiaki

Lemi

Warwick

Arr

Faina’anuku

Creevy

Andress

Percival

Galarza

Williams

Thomas ©

Betty.

That won’t be far off.

What of the Saints?

Things can change a lot; I’m writing this on Wednesday lunchtime. However I doubt if we’ll see many changes from last week . I think Fodes will be on the bench, perhaps sharing it with two Dicksons , one returning from injury and the other from England. Kahn was a dominant force last week and should start. Mercey might be fit again but I suspect that that the talismanic Christian Day might not make it after last week’s knock. It could be a repeat of Dickinson to the second row with GJVV at 8 or a first league appearance for Rob Verbakel. I think I’d go for the former

Possible Saints

Wilson

K Pisi

G Pisi

Waldouck

Elliott

Myler

Fotuali’i

A Waller

Haywood

Ma’afu

Manoa

Dickinson

Clark

Van Velze

Dowson ©

Bench: E Waller, MacMillan, Mercey,Verbakel, Nutley, L Dickson , G Dickson, Foden.

Prediction : A hard-fought forward battle, Saints kick early penalties, second half domination culminating with a bonus point try in the corner by the returning Fodes. But I’ll take any win and no moaning please if we don’t run riot.

News: AP: Northampton Saints vs Worcester Warriors - Preview

Discussion started by ComeOnYouSaints.com , 13/02/2014 13:16

ComeOnYouSaints.com
13/02/2014 13:16

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Humps for 1 Mile
13/02/2014 13:39

Warrior in peace.

Yes, as usual, we come to your fine ground more in hope than expectation. I hope that the elements allow a decent game and that 'Sir' swallows his whistle eary on.

May the best team win.

If you beat us - as seems likely on paper - then I think that the Fat Lady can really begin practicing her scales at Sixways and we'll look to see you again in a couple of years time.

All the best.

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Stockers
13/02/2014 16:33

Well Humps, your lot scared the pants off Tiggs the other day so if we don't treat your team with utmost respect, we might come a cropper.

Enjoy your trip to FG.

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Casual Saint
13/02/2014 16:45

Great preview, thanks a lot.

I agree about Chris Pennell, an excellent player who almost beat Tigers all on his own last week. Saints won't be wanting to give away too many penalties in their own half as he seems capable of kicking them from any where up to the half way line.

Once a scrum half .... always a scrum half

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ballagher
14/02/2014 00:01

Quote:

ComeOnYouSaints.com
What do you think?

I think that was an excellent well-informed preview. Thank you very much.

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StBleach
14/02/2014 08:25

Thanks Tom, nice scene setter

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SAINT_aitch
14/02/2014 08:32

Yup, excellent penmanship!

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Flinstone Saint
14/02/2014 08:53

Nice one Tom. Thank you.

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Please sponsor me for Saints with Heart [www.justgiving.com]

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riverlodge
14/02/2014 12:27

great preview, well done - very nicely written and 'gauged'.

to Humps - good comment, enjoy your visit. thankfully, this game is not played on paper, so we have some nerves!

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