By Sometime lurker
December 23 2014

After an epic encounter against the Pussycats at Franklin's Gardens last weekend, Northampton Saints are on the road between Christmas and New Year to face Harlequins. As is their wont, Quins have moved the fixture over the road to "The Big Stoop" for their Big Game 7 shindig so all roads lead to Twickenham on Saturday for an early evening kick-off. Regular COYSDC message-board contributor, Sometime lurker (Steve to his mates), takes a look ahead to the match...

HARLEQUINS vs NORTHAMPTON SAINTS

AP: Saturday, 27th December 2014 - 4.30pm (BT)

TWICKENHAM STADIUM, LONDON

MATCH PREVIEW

Seriously, how do you move on from Saturday? Quite possibly the best performance I have ever seen from a Saints team (at least after the first 16 minutes anyway). But, that’s the past now, and move on we must, in this case to the last game of the year, and our first return to HQ since a little friendly back in May.

Yes folks, it’s The Big Game 7! To be honest the number 7 does kind of take the sheen off of what I though was originally intended to be a one off event, but hey ho...

Anyway, by their own recent standard Quins have not been playing well so far this season. Currently they lie 8th in the league on 23 points, although a strong home win against Leinster followed by a narrow (and some would say unlucky) 1 point loss away show that some semblance of form may be returning. A poor home win against Falcons though would indicate that this is somewhat sketchy. I would normally be tempted into commenting on Marler as captaincy material (or otherwise) but stones and glass houses come to mind at the moment, so discretion, valour, etc. Kind of makes it hard to know what on earth to expect for Quins.

As for Saints. Top of the league, off the back of a 14 man triumph over our nearest and dearest, there’s a real danger of resting on our laurels. I fully expect that the Holy Trinity will have spent the week keeping everyone’s feet on the ground, but I hope some allowance has been made in their training schedule to at least enjoy half an hour on Christmas Day.

I’m terrible at guessing team selections, so I’m not even going to try this time out. I know for certain that one D Hartley won’t be featuring, and I hope that Wilson keeps his starting spot, but other than that? As for Quins, no idea on names but I expect them to wear their home kit. Quins’ record in this fixture hasn’t been great. Two losses, one draw and 3 ins does not make HQ a happy hunting ground for them, so I’m going to plump for some good cheer and a Saints win.

In the meantime, I hope everyone enjoys Christmas Day, no-one gets into an agreement with the in-laws, and that we’re all in finest voice, and kitted out in Saints Christmas Pressies on the 27th.

News: AP: Big Game 7 - Quins vs Saints - Match Preview

Discussion started by ComeOnYouSaints.com , 23/12/2014 16:39

ComeOnYouSaints.com
23/12/2014 16:39

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Phil.
23/12/2014 16:46

Many, many thanks for getting the preview to us early in the week, Steve, it really is appreciated!

Just one thing...

Quote:

I hope everyone enjoys Christmas Day, no-one gets into an agreement with the in-laws,

When reading it through before publishing, I wasn't sure whether you meant "argument" but just decided to leave it as it was. Made me smile!

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Monte
23/12/2014 16:49

Joe Marler did not play v Falcons! So you can't really blame his captaincy for that one! See you all at the Big Stoop on Saturday!

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tws
23/12/2014 17:27

Thanks SL.On the Quins side Robshaw and Wallace are both out. There are expecting Marler, Easter and Evans to be back.

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Sometime lurker
23/12/2014 17:48

Quote:

Phil.
Many, many thanks for getting the preview to us early in the week, Steve, it really is appreciated!
Just one thing...

Quote:

I hope everyone enjoys Christmas Day, no-one gets into an agreement with the in-laws,

When reading it through before publishing, I wasn't sure whether you meant "argument" but just decided to leave it as it was. Made me smile!

Oops! That'll teach me for writing this off the back of two sales proposals.......

As for the rest of it, I could know exactly who was fit (or otherwise out of both the Saints and Quins squad and still confidently expect to be 50% wrong in terms of selection

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raedarius
23/12/2014 19:37

Another correction required. As Wayne Barnes has been announced as ref, the event has been renamed Big Refereeing Display 7.

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St Saltaire
23/12/2014 20:44

Thanks Lurker. The big pitch should suit us. I'm surprised at Quins moving the game.

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Flinstone Saint
23/12/2014 21:28

Quote:

raedarius
Another correction required. As Wayne Barnes has been announced as ref, the event has been renamed Big Refereeing Display 7.

Glad to see it's not only Saints that have this opinion of Barnes.

----------------------------------------

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Bob Stainsby
24/12/2014 07:55

Nice one SL and I never agree with th'in laws

Top of the League 2014-2015 Season



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014:12:24:07:56:34 by Bob Stainsby.

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Saint Maul
24/12/2014 08:02

I'm really looking to see Alex Corbisiero back on the bench.

"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it" Evelyn Beatrice Hall

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oldtoastersaint
24/12/2014 17:03

Attributed to Voltaire Saint Maul, but you have every right to say it was him.

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Quin Kong
24/12/2014 20:36

Also we wear a one off shirt for these so not the normal home kit.

QUIN KONG

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Sometime lurker
25/12/2014 08:13

Quote:

Quin Kong
Also we wear a one off shirt for these so not the normal home kit.

I told you I was bad at predictions

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