News: HC (QF): Munster vs Northampton Saints - Match Preview
By Richard Lindsley
April 6 2010
And so, the waiting is finally over. Northampton Saints travel across the water to face Munster on Saturday in the Quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup. We know that Saints are good enough to take the spoils this weekend but can they actually end up victorious? Former COYSDC editor and regular contributor Richard Lindsley reads the runes....
MUNSTER RUGBY vs NORTHAMPTON SAINTS
HC (QF): Saturday, 10th April – 5.30pm
THOMOND PARK, LIMERICK
MATCH PREVIEW
I was trying to think of a theme for this preview, you know, to jazz it up a bit and then a thought struck me. It’s just not necessary. This IS quite simply the biggest game in the Saints history since 27.5.00. We all know what happened that day so what price another 9-8 victory? Highly unlikely I’d say but I think we’d all happily take it.
Anticipation this side of the Irish Sea is very high with thousands of Saints supporters planning their journeys by planes, trains, automobiles and ferries! They’re assured a warm welcome and a well-earned hangover on Sunday morning. For the unlucky few left behind it’s the Sky telly coverage. Lardy and the Florist have a well documented love affair with all things Munster but just lately Northampton have been the team catching their eye. Middle aged men trading in for a younger model…whatever next?
On the Munster forums there are laughable attempts to claim the underdog tag. They’re also warning against playing too open as apparently this will play into Munster’s hands. Will it? Ask Gloucester! Maybe this is an attempt to lull Saints into a false sense of security but it shows that there is at least respect for the lads in gold, black and green.
So what are the chances? Well, Northampton had Munster on toast in January and somehow failed to put them away. In the home fixture the Saints were even more dominant but somehow the red machine got within a score. Why? They’ve got match experience at this level that this current Saints team simply does not possess. Munster are seen by many as the Kings of Europe, they do the right things at the right times and often it all appears quite effortless. In Thomond Park they have a fortress double the size and reputation of our irrepressible Gardens. For Jim Mallinder’s emerging squad this could be one bridge too far but…what if it isn’t?
As is traditional, here are my team guesses. There’s a lot of niggles, strains, bumps and bruises on both sides, so expect some of this to be wrong! Paul O’Connell and Keith Earls are the big doubts for Munster. I would think they’d do absolutely everything in their power to get the talismanic O’Connell on the pitch, even if they have to wrap him up like a mummy and pump him full of pain relief. For the Saints Dylan Hartley is also struggling with a knock but is reported as more than likely to start on Saturday. Big Jim has the pleasantest of all headaches picking his starting pack. Someone has to miss out. The losers for me will be Best and Mujati but if they start, Saints aren’t weaker, they’re just different. Finally there is the hardest decision in world rugby…Myler or Geraghty? I’m going for Geraghty because I think he scares Munster more!
Potential teams…
Saints
Foden
Ashton
Clarke
Downey
Reihana
Geraghty
Dickson
Tonga’uiha
Hartley
Murray
Lobbe
Kruger
Lawes
Dowson
Wilson
Munster
Warwick
Howlett
Mafi
de Villiers
Dowling
O'Gara
O'Leary
Horan
Flannery
Hayes
O’Connell
O'Callaghan
Quinlan
Ronan
Wallace
I’m going on record now to say I think the Saints will do it. There. I think we’ll win. Why? Because I know they can. Kruger and co can make a mess of their well-reputed line out. Euan and co can make a mess of their scrum. Roger and co can run their back row off its feet. Downey can go toe to toe with De Villiers. Foden, Ashton and Reihana can scare the living daylights on the counter and from set plays. They have the firepower all they need is the belief. It’s not just that though. The Saints are so far ahead of where I expected them to be. The LV cup is in the bag, a Guinness Premiership play-off is looking increasingly likely and they’ve lost so rarely that it’s become a bit of a shock. This is a team of winners – Saints by a point!!!
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Rich pickings available - only believe.
*I could agree with you - but then we'd both be wrong...*
No Fear
David L
What if there were no hypothetical questions?
- Live wrong and preposterously
We'd love Geraghty! No Earls, (top joint try scorer in the 6Ns with 3)?
Think Munster backrow will be Quinlan, Wally & Coughlan.
Earls to start at 13 with Mafi on the bench.
I think it'll be an absolute cracker of a game - there is a very real affinity between these two clubs, it'll be a night to savour for the fans, and I look forward to the banter before, during and after, no matter what the result. Should the unthinkable happen and we lose, I'll be the first to wish ye well and seeing as I'll be heading to Paris regardless, I'll shout ye on should ye make it.
For this Munster fan, I expect us to strangle ye up front and ROG to kick for the corners. Old school - grind out the hard yards and the tries will come.
Very close to call from this early stage in the week given our possible injuries, but I just feel our experience will come through. There is another Heineken Cup in this ageing team, I think Northampton will get the dying sting of a great Munster side.
Best of luck, look forward to seeing ye in Limerick. Pop in to Quiltys out by the ground before the game for some banter!
Good stuff Rich
ClaireJ
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From someone who is missing this game of all games, I can only be envious of those going, the great time you will have, and the warm reception you will receive from the Irish.
COME ON YOU SAINTS !
1. Don't play it loose
2. Don't stick up yer jumpers
3. Don't fling it wide
4. Don't run it up the middle
5. Don't dog it out
6. Don't run champagne circles
7. Don't play someone else's game
8. Don't wait for the half time bullocking
MIX IT UP!
"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.
Thanks Rich for a great preview. I can smell Flannery's from here.
I will take up only one point, that is I reckon Courtney will play instead of Lobbe and Bestie will be in the back row. As you said, this is the biggest game since 2000 and Courtney would offer more over 60 minutes than Nacho could. Age, surely must catch up with the IFL soon?
No alcohol for January. I'm a dryathlete in aid of cancer research.
Dryathlon
No alcohol for January. I'm a dryathlete in aid of cancer research.
Dryathlon
If Lobbe's fit, I'd start him. We've missed his leadership in the last few games, plus he's had a couple of weeks rest. It's exactly his sort of game, then we have a fresh, eager Courtney to come on in the last quarter...
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Saint til I die
If we can keep the game in the Munster half then take the three points if we get a penalty in a reasonable position.
Cant wait for this one and I'm only watching on the box! There are 5 live Union games in a row on Saturday, going to be a good day!
COME ON SAINTS
Unless I can find a Saints friendly pub in/around Aberaeron I'm going to have to go dark until I get back to Northampton on Sunday. Phone off, no COYSDC/Internet, no TV/Radio.
I think Saints will do it too, not by much, but I have faith.
Come On You Saints
Come On You Saints
Quote:Hoddros
I can smell Flannery's from here.
Don't worry Hoddros - He'll be smelling his own after 15 mins in the front row.
David L
What if there were no hypothetical questions?
- Live wrong and preposterously
Yere boy saying foden is a good as c cullen is a bit much.
Cant wait ticket at the ready
Craic going to be 90 good time had by all BRING IT ON may the best (or cleverest) team win.
Great craic with ye not so long ago (not so great 10 years ago)
UP MUNSTER