GP: Northampton saints vs Sale Sharks - Match Preview
By SAINT_aitch
October 22 2009
The proverbial roller coaster ride has been had by us Saintly ones in the last fortnight. The elation of the Rugby spectacle, at FG, that was our win against reigning Magners League Champions Munster was replaced within a week to that old sinking feeling as we succumbed to the current French Champions Perpignan on their turf.
It is now time to leave the Guinness and Croissants of the Heineken Cup for a while and get back to the Guinness and hog roast rolls of Premiership action as we face Sale Sharks at home.
NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs SALE SHARKS
GP: Saturday, 24th October 2009. 15:00
FRANKLINS GARDENS
MATCH PREVIEW
So it’s back to the Gardens and back to the matter of the premiership battle this time in the form of a visit from Sale Sharks. Of course we should all be aware of the fact that we welcome back a certain, Northampton born and bred, World Cup winner and British Lion to the gardens this week who plied his trade so admirably for us for so long only to slope off under a cloud to go and play in France for a couple of seasons when, as it seemed, we needed him more than ever. Now it seems young Mr Cohen has had enough of the French experience and has opted for a move back across the channel albeit to the North West of England.
First appearance would suggest that Sale hasn’t had a very good start to this season (9th in the Premiership, 1 win, 1 draw, 3 loses) but on closer inspection such criticism would appear to be a tad unfair. It all kicked off very well as their first game of the domestic season saw them get a close win at home to the lads from Pooh Corner, all was looking good, the following week they got a draw away to Newcastle, never an easy place to get a result, but loses at home to Bath and away to Worcester have done nothing to boost Sharks’ reputation or confidence. Other loses at home to, in form Irish and away to Toulouse in the Heineken cup were possibly expected but all loses must, however be put into perspective as none of them have been thrashings, and Sale have made a fist of all of their games even after what looked like they were in for a real drubbing from Toulouse at half time, and fortunes did seem to change for them last week with a win at home to Cardiff Blues keeping them in the European competition.
Who are yer?
Along with young Ben Cohen, who, despite only scoring one try from his 6 appearances this season, is starting to look a bit like his old self, they have some impressive players including a Tuilagi brother (they get everywhere don’t they?) in the centre who is yet to score this season, pairing with the impressive Matthew Tait who has crossed the whitewash once or the points scoring Lee Thomas who has been responsible for a lot of kicking duties recently and has racked up 44 points this season, choices of Mark Cueto or Oriel Ripol to share the wing position with Ben, Richard Wrigglesworth or Dwayne Peel at Scrum Half and the recent return of Charlie Hodgson to the Fly Half position. The forwards are currently lacking one of their front row power houses with Andrew Sheridan recently suffering a nasty shoulder injury and soon to be undergoing reconstructive surgery following a collapsed scrum in the recent Cardiff game but still have the intimidating Eifion Roberts who is not averse to getting over the try line. This is backed up by some skill with the likes of Brent Cockbain and, twice Man of the Match winner, the impressive 19 year old James Gaskell both at Lock position. Overall quite a formidable team given that they seemed to lose so much fire power in the close season with people like Luke McAlister, JM Fernandez Lobbe, Sebastian Chabal, and Rory Lamont, amongst others leaving.
What’s the history like?
Again, on paper, Saints go into this match as the underdogs. In our last ten meetings with the boys from Stockport we have only won twice and both of those were at Franklins Gardens. We have lost six times (twice at FG), and drawn twice (once at FG) however, the last match played between these teams at FG, April 2009, saw a big win for us by 38 points to 3 after we had recently gone on a shopping spree through the Sale Sharks shop window and recruited exceptionally well in our return to the Premiership. Prior to that we last played Sharks at FG back in March 2007 (you remember that season?!) and we held them to a draw.
By the end of this season, we will probably be sick of playing them mind as we are due to play them in Anglo Welsh cup in late January 2010, an away fixture and the return GP match will be in early March next year, both Friday night fixtures (oh I do not like the trip to Edgeley Park for a Friday evening kick off).
Who’s up for it then?
As I write it would seem that Saints have, in their infinite wisdom, suspended Freddie Kruger for one week following an alleged stamping incident in Stade De Grim Reaper last week and we are awaiting some news from the citing commission whether Big Bad Bwian is going to be suspended for, apparently trying to get Sir involved in last week’s game a bit more. Other than that, we are still doing well as far as injuries are concerned (touches wood quickly) so whilst we may be missing some line out and ruck clearing options, hopefully we will have all our options for grunt up front.
With what could be seen as pretty much a full squad, it should mean that we will have a great game on our hands and, once again, Jim and Dorian have choices to make for a number of positions. Last week saw some strange movements amongst the back line in the second half as Smyler made a brief cameo in the fly half position moving Shane into the centre, it was good to see Smyler back on the field and the re-positioning did appear to work although the two team mates did seem to get in each others way a couple of times with their flay half instinct going for the same ball.
This week’s centre pairing will need to be strong, fast and athletic if they are to put up a fight to Sale’s centres and our flankers will have their work cut out for them dealing with the youth, strength and power of the Sale flankers and if Courtney can do his usual ‘go get em’ damage to Mr Hodgson, that could limit Sale’s kicking from hand potential and provide a platform for us to get some ball out to Bruce and Flash/Digger.
Will Euan be back? I’m convinced, having sat near him at the Leeds match a few weeks ago, that he is looking well but is he up to match fitness yet? Once again, we really need the forwards to dominate and I feel that if Brian is allowed to come out and play (‘He’s not the messiah, he’s a very naughty boy’) and we have a front row of Euan-Dylan-Brian, with Tiny and Bonorino in reserve, pushed on by the usual suspects (with the exception of Freddie Kruger), then we should take advantage of the missing Sheridan and push them all over the field, gain territory, get Shane and Ben to make probing runs aptly supported by Downey and Clarkey.
Discipline and ball control need to be the generic focal points for the guys this week. Last week we gave away an astonishing number of penalties, admittedly not helped by Mr Owens, and ball handling suffered at various stages. We simply must get these issues resolved if we are to maintain our pressure on the top half of the premiership and be seen as serious contenders.
Home support is, as ever, an enormous advantage and our record should remain intact this week despite the historical statistics for the meetings between our two clubs but I do not see any kind of walkover happening here. Far from it, Sale will want to improve on their league position and whilst they may not be targeting this game as a must win, I am sure they will be expecting a LBP and trying to upset our home record. We will win this game but only if we keep our composure, don’t give away too many penalties for Charlie boy to put away, and improve our ball handling from last Friday’s game.
The boys will also be expecting us to be the 16th man, or is that the 24th man?
Team and score Predictions:
15 – Fodes
14 – Ashton/Digger (would be good to see the lad run out again)
13 – Clarkey/Mayor (60 mins)
12 – Downey (Possibly with Shane switching on the hour)
11 – Brooce
10 – Shane/Smyler.
9 – Dickson
1 – Tiny
2 – Dylan
3 – Bwian/Bonorino
4 – Courtney
5 – Nacho
6 – Dowson
7 – Best
8 – Sgt Wilson
Saints to win by 7.
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(They are called message boards aren't they? "Message to self - ignore any messages without my name at the top").
I'm looking forward to this weekend for a heap of reasons.
1. I get some private time back for a change, after SWH
2. Really winter rugby for the first time this season - wet, windy, cold, leaves, mud. Woohoo!
3. Another sub plot - Mallinder & The Hood v Kennedy (Brian not Pete)
4. Digger v BC
5. Another chance for Ben Foden to play No 9 (miaow!)
6. A good opportunity to get the wheels back on the most important purpose to our season - a good position in the Premiership.
I hope the team realise where the corn gets earnt. We want and we need this one.
Come on You Saints!
"Your days are numbered. Use them to throw open the windows of your soul to the sun. If you do not, the sun will soon set, and you with it."
-- Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor 161-180 A.D.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:10:22:12:07:02 by Paul Flatt.
Quote:H said,
Who are yer?
Along with young Ben Cohen, who,
Comma in the wrong place?
Otherwise a good preview sir!
Not at scrum-half then?
Saint til I die
Lets all sing that song again, how does it go?
Saint til I die
Quote:Howlin
After the walk though I don't think I will be contributing as much at 24th Man. Last time when I jumped up to cheer I nearly fainted !!
What, Malc? You could jump? I could bearly climb the stairs to my seat......and we only do the 7 mile walk!! Mind you, the walk expands the lungs so that we can take in so much more air to expend in Oh Wendies.
Always look on the bright side.......
Excellent preview Aitch!