GP: Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints - Match Preview
bunch of pussy-cats?
By Jonathan Stockham
October 29 2009
The real local derby of Saints’ season hoves into view. This is the big one, the real thing. The two East Midlands rugby giants lock horns in this age old contest and a 24,000 full house is likely in Leicester’s newly extended ground.
Saints to Tame Tigers on Hallowe’en?
LEICESTER TIGERS V NORTHAMPTON SAINTS
WELFORD ROAD – SATURDAY 31 OCTOBER 2009.
GUINNESS PREMIERSHIP, ROUND 7
KICK OFF 5.35 PM
What gives this encounter even more spice is the battle between two old Leicester hookers. No, this isn’t a cat fight between ladies of the night on a disputed street corner in Highfields but an early evening coaching contest for points in the Premiership between Richard Cockerill and Nobby West, both former wearers of the Tiger’s No 2 (or should that be “Letter B”).
And what do points mean? Prizes!! Not just the chance to climb up the Guinness Premiership league table but also to hold the East Midlands bragging rights at least until the return fixture at Franklins Gardens at the end of February 2010.
But have both of these games been devalued by the clash with International matches?
The announcement of the 32 man England EPS squad for the autumn internationals list 8 Tigers (7 of them forwards) and 4 Saints players (congratulations to Ben Foden, Shane Geraghty, Dylan Hartley and of course Courtney Lawes) as being required by Martin Johnson for England v Australia a week on Saturday. Either that or being wrapped up in cotton wool in Pennyhill Park to prevent any more injuries to players.
The game in February next year clashes with England v Ireland in the 6 Nations. And that is before we start losing other top players to Ireland, Scotland and Lundy.
However, any clash between Tigers and Saints is major box office and this one is no exception. Tigers have been less fortunate than us on the injury front and lost Julian White following his brief, on-pitch audition for “Strictly Come Dancing” last week. Or rather, England have lost him, as he would have missed this game due to being required for the national squad. (Will the last prop standing please turn off the lights on the way out of the Twickenham changing room?). But injuries and international call ups combined will mean Tigers have to field a depleted side.
Saints have been more robust in terms of fitness (top marks Mr Johnson) and although shorn of some key players, will have very able deputies ready to step up to the mark. Recent Wanderers results have shown that there is good depth in the squad and Saints should take the field stronger on paper.
That will count for sierra foxtrot alpha however if the lacklustre performances of the last 2 weeks are not turned around sharpish. We need to see something approaching the Saints who showed up Munster less than 3 weeks ago, not the Saints who looked weak in the scrum against Perpignan or who forgot to look after the ball for much of the game against Sale Sharks last Saturday, despite winning. We need disciplined aggression and speed at the breakdown. We do not need a lack of control of the ball, of the temper or of tactical awareness to ruin what could be a great chance to beat the Tigers on their patch.
My thinking is that this may well be just the opportunity that we need to freshen up the mix. With players absent for England, those squad players such a Chris Day, Paul Diggin and the returning Steve Myler, who have been champing at the bit to get their hands on a First XV starting shirt can grab the opportunity with alacrity and give their supposed betters something to think about.
I’ll leave team selection to Jim, Nobby and Grayse. After all, they get paid for it, I don’t.
But I do see this Saturday’s game under the floodlights at “Wellbad Road” on Hallowe’en as a great chance to put the frighteners on our nearest neighbours and oldest rivals. Saints lie 4th in the Premiership, one place and one win ahead of Tigers in 5th. We should be able to widen the current 3 point gap on Saturday.
Saints by 15 points and a party to last through midnight to All Saints Day!
COME ON YOU SAINTS!
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You will have noticed that Mr Johnson (ex Tigers you know) has released two players to Tigers for the game. But he hasn't released any Saints. Odd that .....
I believe we have strength in depth and our squad system will prevail (probably more so than any other GP side). There are some hungry back ups waiting to show their talent and ability.
We get 3rd/2 XVs. I'd boycott the game except I also hate the playoffs.
Grrrrrrr (= not Grrrrrrrrrrreat)
Saints have a good chance* but no Tiger will make it easy for you.
* of a losing bonus point (of course)
David L
What if there were no hypothetical questions?
- Live wrong and preposterously