HC SF - Northampton Saints vs Wasps - Preview

By Phil (Mav)
April 27 2007

In one of the greatest upsets of recent European Club rugby history, Saints beat Biarritz to make the semi-finals of the Heineken Cup. As they take on London Wasps in Coventry this coming Sunday, Phil asks the question, "Can lightening strike twice?"

 

Just a few weeks ago I sat here at the computer and began to think of how I could write the match preview of the Heineken Cup quarter-final against Biarritz Olympique and make it sound positive. The odds were stacked so heavily in favour of the home side that, initially, it seemed pointless trying to “big up” a match in which the result was a foregone conclusion. However, as I warmed to my task, I remarked to Mrs H that I was almost starting to believe what I was writing, being so wrapped up in the prose as it flowed from brain to fingers.

 

When I published the article I was expecting howls of derision from the comeonyousaints.com faithful, so fanciful were some of the comments I had made. This was not to be the case. Readers, it appeared, who had warmed to my romantic fantasies of a win on Spanish soil, were travelling to Spain with heart. Yes, perhaps Saints could pull off the miracle. And how they did! The mighty Biarritz, downed by a single point in the best 6-7 victory in the history of Saints rugby.

 

The question is – can we do it again?

 

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs LONDON WASPS

 

HEINEKEN CUP SEMI-FINAL

 

THE RICOH ARENA, COVENTRY

 

SUNDAY 22nd APRIL, 2007 - 3pm

 

MATCH PREVIEW

 

Saints recent record is not pretty, being loss win loss loss. Of course, the win is the Biarritz game but the three “L’s” are three Guinness Premiership defeats, which have left Northampton plumb bottom of the league table. Saints’ survival is out of our hands should Worcester defeat Saracens on the last day of the domestic season but that’s not what this weekend is all about. As with the trip to San Sebestián, this is a one-off game. Once again it is a game against a quality side (it’s the semi-final of the Heineken Cup ferchrissake!) and, once again, Saints will be the rank outsiders.

 

Let’s go on a positivity hunt…

 

Well for starters, Saints have never been beaten at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry (I know, I know). Indeed, the last time Saints were beaten in the city of Coventry was way back in the ‘93/4 Season so there could be something there.

 

Also, Saints face London Wasps at the weekend, a team they beat on the way to winning the Heineken Cup back in 2000, in what Brian Barron’s Saints bible “Nothing Without Labour” describes as a “smash-and-grab win 25-22 at Franklin’s Gardens.” Also, Saints went on to the semi-final where they faced Llanelli who are, of course, still in this season’s competition. Perhaps this year we will meet the Scarlets for the ultimate prize.

 

Now stay with me here, we may be on to something. O.K then, let’s take a look at Wasps’ away form this season. On their travels in 2006/7, Wasps have lost (in various competitions) to – Bristol, Cardiff, Perpignan, Sale Sharks, Gloucester, Saracens, Saints, Bath, Newcastle Falcons and London Irish. So, they are beatable. I realise that during the same time Northampton have lost to just about everybody but I’m trying here!

 

Hang on, I’ve thought of another one! Northampton Saints have never lost a Heineken Cup semi-final. How’s that for a doosy? I tell ya, it’s a shoe-in for the boys playing in white (with natty green, black and gold trim) this weekend!

 

Ah well, back to reality…

 

In last week’s Premiership dress rehearsal for this game, Saints acquitted themselves well with a performance full of pride and purpose. That they ultimately fell short should not stop us from taking something from the match. The players were committed, they matched their Wasp counterpart man for man and stood up be counted. This Sunday we need more of the same and, if the players can give just a little bit more (asking a lot as they ran themselves into the ground at Adams Park), then we may just have a sniff.

 

As to the likely teams who will pitch up at 3pm on Sunday, let’s look at the “visitors” Wasps, first. In the GP match last weekend, Head Coach Ian McGeechan rested three heavyweights in Tom Rees, Lawrence Dallaglio and Alex King. Fitness permitting, I would expect all three to feature this weekend. Elsewhere, I can’t see there being too many changes from last week’s XV, although Tom Voyce has resumed full training this week and will no doubt be considered. How about –

 

15 Van Gisbergen, 14 Sackey, 13 Waters, 12 Waldouck, 11 Voyce, 10 King, 9 Reddan; 1 Vickery, 2 Ibanez, Bracken, 4 Shaw, 5 Palmer, 6 Haskell, 7 Rees, 8 Dallaglio

That’s a formidable line-up and one that would test the best European club rugby can offer. And of course Saints qualify for that epithet being in the last four of European Rugby’s premier club competition!

 

For Northampton, there will be some big decisions to be made by the coaching staff. Carlos limped off last week having turned his ankle and I would have thought he will not be risked with the season-defining match against Irish in the Premiership to come on the 28^th. There have been no other injury reports to come out of the camp since although John Brooks must be another doubt having been substituted early on Sunday having taken an inadvertent blow to the head. Let’s try –

 

15 Diggin, 14 Lamont, 13 Clarke, 12 Reihana, 11 Cohen, 10 Myring/Myler, 9 Robinson; 1 Smith, 2 Hartley, 3 Brooks/Tonga’uhia, 4 Browne, 5 Short, 6 Tupai, 7 Lewitt, 8 Labit

 

So, what to expect on Sunday? Let’s go back to my Biarritz preview just for a moment, review what I wrote then, see if anything has changed and perhaps start to tick some boxes…

 

“Well for a start, we have absolutely nothing to lose.” – Still the same (check!)

 

“So, if Saints can keep it tight for 40 minutes and then, who knows?” – That message still holds good (check!) 

 

“The beauty of sport is that every match is a one off. No one knows what will happen on Sunday afternoon.” - (yup, check that one too!)

 

Sean Lamont was very upbeat when talking to SkySports earlier this week. Sean said, “"A lot of people aren't expecting us to do well in the Heineken Cup so the pressure's off. Being underdogs, when we win it's a brilliant morale booster.” Quite right, Monty, the pressure’s off so go out and express yourselves.

 

It can of course be argued that Saints real final comes six days after this semi when London Irish visit Franklin’s Gardens in the last round of the Premiership. No doubt that is true but Saints have given themselves an opportunity this weekend to play without inhibition, throw the ball around and perhaps, just perhaps, write another chapter in this proud club’s rich history.

 

So, for a few days thoughts of relegation are to be forgotten. Let’s swat some pesky Wasps! Now then, where is that can of Raid???

 

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS

15 BRUCE REIHANA (capt), 14 SEAN LAMONT, 13 Jon Clarke, 12 Robbie Kydd, 11 BEN COHEN, 10 CARLOS SPENCER, 9 MARK ROBINSON; 1 TOM SMITH, 2 MATIAS CORTESE, 3 John Brooks, 4 Damien Browne, 5 Christian Short, 6 PAUL TUPAI, 7 Ben Lewitt, 8 Daniel Browne

Replacements: 16 Dan Richmond, 17 SOANE TONGA’UHIA, 18 DAVID GERARD, 19 CHRISTIAN LABIT, 20 Johnny Howard, 21 Luke Myring, 22 Paul Diggin

 

LONDON WASPS

15 Mark Van Gisbergen, 14 Paul Sackey, 13 Fraser Waters, 12 Dominic Waldouck, 11 Tom Voyce, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Eoin Reddan; 1 Phil Vickery, 2 Raphael Ibanez, 3 Peter Bracken, 4 Simon Shaw, 5 Tom Palmer, 6 Joe Worsley, 7 Tom Rees, 8 Lawrence Dallaglio (c)

Replacements: 16 Joe Ward, 17 Nick Adams, 18 Dan Leo, 19 James Haskell, 20 Mark McMillan, 21 Josh Lewsey, 22 Alex King