News: EDF (SF): Saints vs Cardiff Blues - Preview
By Simon Robinson
March 25 2009
A break from Guinness Premiership action this weekend for Northampton Saints as they are sent to Coventry to face Cardiff Blues in the semi-final of the EDF Energy Cup. This is the second match of a double header at the Ricoh Arena and for those not travelling is live on BBC2. COYSDC contributor Simon Robinson steps in at very short notice and looks ahead to the match...
NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs CARDIFF BLUES
EDF ENERGY CUP – SEMI-FINAL
SATURDAY, 28th MARCH 2009 – 5.15pm
RICOH ARENA, COVENTRY
MATCH PREVIEW
Saints get back on the Anglo-Welsh trail this weekend, hoping to make a return to Twickenham to play in the big boy’s game compared to last season’s National Trophy victory. Cardiff Blues – who, like ourselves, are also in a European quarter final in a fortnight – stand in our way.
While this might not have the finesse of OSB or the controversy of RedSaint, no-one else wanted the job so you’re stuck with me!
By the time our game kicks off at 5.15pm we will know whether it will be Gloucester or Ospreys that the victors will face on April 18th. Fortunately the prospect of a Spencer-inspired clobbering at HQ is out as he’s cup-tied.
While Saints have been battling through the Six Nations, Cardiff have had a three week rest. Hopefully the Saints can capitalise on this match rustiness and put in a stronger performance than at the Madejski on Sunday. With the return of Euan Murray, Dylan Hartley and Scott Gray almost certainties and with Nacho Lobbe and Paul Diggin also expected to be back, I would expect a team along these lines:
Foden
Diggin, Ansbro, Downey, Reihana
Myler, Dickson
Tonga’uiha, Hartley, Murray
Lobbe, Kruger
Best, S Gray, Wilson
Subs: Sharman, Smith, Lawes, Easter, Everitt, Mayor, Ashton
Cardiff will be without Andy Powell who has a thigh injury, I would guess at a lineup similar to the one that faced Gloucester in January:
Leigh Halfpenny
Gareth Thomas, Tom Shanklin, Jamie Roberts, Tom James
Nick Robinson, Jason Spice
Gethin Jenkins, Gareth Williams, Gary Powell
Deiniol Jones, Scott Morgan
Ma'ama Molitika, Martyn Williams, Xavier Rush
Saints have not faced Cardiff in a competitive fixture since drawing them in back-to-back Heineken Cup pools in 01/02 and 02/03. The last game was a 31-0 Saints victory at the Arms Park in December 2002. Try scorer Tom Smith is the only surviving Saint from that fixture.
If Saints can win the battle up front – where two top contenders for the Lions test props face each other - then there’s a chance of getting back on the road to Twickenham. I reckon it’ll be a tight game, but if Saints give away silly penalties like last weekend then they will be punished for it. Hopefully a return for Nacho will add a cool head in a crisis.
My prediction – Saints by five. Don’t forget your Swindle predictions – the thread will start on Wednesday as usual.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:03:29:17:56:21 by Phil..
"It's not the despair, Saints, I can take the despair. It's the hope I can't stand."
Saint til I die
dej
'AND the return of Nacho....'
v. good btw
AshtonFan - I knew there'd be a typo somewhere!
Photo Gallery
comformation that Nacho & Digger are back..
Your saints team is probably right then!
Also something I forgot:
Weather for Saturday - 9C, 30% chance of showers
Photo Gallery
Terrace 'B' next to Mav, Shaddo, AB, Jeremy and Spud.