News: ECC: Montpellier (A) Match Preview

By Phil
January 13 2009

Northampton Saints travel to France this week to face Montpellier in Round Five of the European Challenge Cup. ComeOnYouSaints.com editor Phil Hollis looks ahead to Thursday's game...

You know, I’d got it sussed. No one had volunteered to pen a few words about Saints return to Europe so I thought I’d step up and see what I could come up with. It was all planned in my head – the RFU had just *ahem* got into bed with Mills and Boon to promote a series of rugby themed love stories so I’d got the theme. The story was *ahem again*(!) fleshed out whilst walking the pooch and I’d even got the denouement ready, word for word. But the problem is, then I started writing.

The story was to be of a beautiful young lady who meets a Saints player after the Tigs match, there’s an immediate frisson between the two of them and so the story goes on, involving showers, rugby balls and a clandestine meeting at FG in the dead of night. And you know what? I couldn’t do it. It just looked soooo silly on the page after what had taken place at Franklin’s Gardens on Saturday evening. So, I stopped and instead you’re gonna get something far, far more sensible…

MONTPELLIER vs. NORTHAMPTON SAINTS

ECC: Thursday, 15^th January 2009 – 19.45pm (UK)

STADE YVES DU MANOIR, MONTPELLIER

MATCH PREVIEW

TIGERS

Well, blinkin’ blimey, what a match that was! The ever so ‘umble oiks from Nuffamptun took on their lardy-dah neighbours from up the road last weekend and came out on top in almost every facet of the game. Marvellous! For me, the most encouraging aspect of the whole performance was that it was just that – a whole performance from 1 to 22. Sure some stood out, Digger, AirNewBen and Freddie to mention just three but that shouldn’t distract from the team. Not one Saints player was a passenger in the match which is more than can perhaps be said of some of their supposedly more illustrious opponents. All of which leaves Saints quite handily placed in the Guinness Premiership as they return to European competition for the next couple of weeks.

MONTPELLIER

In their infinite wisdom, some pilchard from French television decreed that in Round 5 of the group stage of the European Challenge Cup, Saints would once again play on a Thursday, the most awkward of weekdays for the traveller. That being said, it seems that those who can, will and there should be a fair smattering (500+ perhaps?) of GB&G who will make it to the game. For the rest of us it will be a case of watching Saints attempt to maintain their perfect record so far in this competition via the television, whether that be at home or in the local hostelry.

For those that want to reacquaint themselves with the history of Montpellier Rugby Club, I can do no better than refer the reader to EmmaB's comprehensive guide which can be found in her match preview of the reverse of this fixture back in October. Similarly, even if you are not travelling, then ChrisG’s Guide to Montpellier is also well worth a look just so you can see what you’ll be missing by staying at home. Like me.

Montpellier the rugby team currently sit in eighth place in the French Top 14 but have suffered two large reverses in their last outings. Firstly, Toulouse scored 34 unanswered points a fortnight ago and last weekend it was Clermont’s turn to ease to victory, conceding just one penalty in the process. Couple these results with the indefinite suspension by the club of Justin Marshall for refusing to take the field against Toulouse and the picture would not seem to be a happy one at the Stade Yves du Manoir. However, Montpellier do still have an outside chance of qualifying for the last eight of this competition so there is no reason why they should not be taking this game very seriously. According to the official website, Montpellier General Manager Denis Navizet is not one to mince his words and he will be looking for his side to turn their season around, starting, one assumes, with Thursday’s visit of Saints.

SAINTS

As for Saints themselves, qualification for the latter stages of this competition has already been secured. Four wins, four bonus points, 27 tries scored in the process and just three conceded. Top stuff. The priority for Saints in this competition now is to ensure they finish the group stage as one of the top two seeds, thus guaranteeing home draws later on in the year. With this in mind I would expect Director of Rugby Jim Mallinder to put out a strong side on Thursday evening although we should see changes from the side that whopped the Pussycats. It is a tricky task trying to second guess the mighty Jim – will he make wholesale changes or stick with most of the players who have earned the right to wear the shirt and must be loath to give it up for another? Personally, I take great comfort in the fact that, if there are changes to be made then we, the supporters, will not be fretting one little bit. Los for Smyler? Fine. Tiny for Tam? Okey-dokes. Flash for Digs? Whatever you say m’Lordship. The list goes on of course and it must be a great feeling for the coaching staff to know that each and everyone of the squad, if selected, will do the job to which they have been allocated.

PREDICTION

Saints by a few.

It had been dark for sometime and the only lights still on at the Gardens were those which showed the exits. Two figures crept on to the field and made their way towards the 22 beneath the South Stand. “Mind your step in those heels”, said The Player, “the slope can take you unawares if you are not used to it”. The girl shivered in anticipation. She watched The Player closely, she admired his elegant frame, breathing in the sheer intoxicating manliness of him. “This is my favourite place in the world”, The Player said quietly, “the chance to do the business in front of the crowd here is like nothing else. Well, perhaps there’s one thing…” Her stomach churned, her legs felt weak. She had lost herself completely in him. What was to come? Abruptly, she was brought out of her dreaming. “Hey, catch it!” came the call. The rugby ball landed at the girl’s feet. “Come on”, said The Player, “let’s see if you can pass off your left hand…”

News: ECC: Montpellier (A) Match Preview

Posted by: ComeOnYouSaints.com (IP Logged)

Date: 13/01/2009 17:26

What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2009:01:16:11:11:48 by Phil..