In a turnaround from the week before’s game at Leicester the Saints, at the behest of Coach Budge, did indeed ‘get in Bath’s faces all day’ and held their much vaunted pack at bay for the full 80 mins. Behind the pack it was the All Black trio of Bruce, Sharky and Carlos that caught the eye of the pundits present but the work rate of the other dozen or so players especially the likes of Darren Fox, Jon Clarke and Sean Lamont making his full debut that made this an all round team victory.
Now I know that most of us if we are brutally honest (and opened up our second eye now and then) were a touch worried when the fixture list came out that, given the opposition, we might be stranded at the foot of the table with nothing much to show after two games so to gain four points already is somewhat of a bonus certainly after the drubbing in game one at Tigers. All said and done the people of Northampton will be sleeping a little easier in their beds this week.
Although the seven day turnaround in form was remarkable, even more so given the monsoon conditions that you thought would suit Bath’s steamroller pack, there is still work to be done. I’m sure one of the coaches priorities again this week will be cutting out those penalties that could prove costly not only in points scored, if we came up against a player that kick, but in the potential for referees losing their patience with us and brandishing the odd card or two. Overall though
I think we can move with some confidence into Saturdays game against Newcastle at the Gardens.
FALCONS ON A FLIGHT OF FANCY?
So after a long not so hot summer and two weeks out on the road its back home for the first game of the season on Saturday at a revamped Franklins Gardens and it can’t come too soon. There’s always something special hearing Geoff Allen on the mike announcing ‘Welcome to Franklins Gardens home of Northampton Saints’ and I know for a lot of people it marks the real start to the season. With a packed house a new South Stand to gaze at and the weather outlook looking good it could be one to savour.
It will also mark the home debuts of several players and whilst many eyes will be on the man himself Carlos Spencer I’m sure you will greet each and every one with a extra load Gardens roar.
The visitors are Newcastle Falcons who are having a bit of a rocky start to the season. They ran some peoples tip for the top Sale very close in the opening week of the league but then surprisingly lost at home to new boys Bristol, who even more surprisingly head the table.
However, as with any team in the Guinness Premiership they cannot be taken lightly and have some class acts in their ranks including the likes of Matt Burke, Colin Charvis and Owen Finegan. Ex-Saint Robbie Morris may also be returning to prove a point or two. The Gardens has never been a happy hunting ground for the Falcons however and I’m taking our lads to edge this one to send us all home happy.
POOR OLD WILKO
One player missing from the Newcastle line up is Jonny Wilkinson. Since the World Cup poor Jonny has seemed to have more injuries and ailments than Shane Warne has taken wickets and his appendix operation this week puts him out for a further two months. Of course it was the marketing mans dream, the two most well known No.10’s on the planet up against each other in a Carlos v Wilko duel. Alas it is not to be but given Wilkinsons effect on the game last season when he came off the bench and almost won the game for Falcons, I’m certainly not too down about it.
Talking of cricketers wasn’t it good to see that one of the successful Ashes winning side, Ian Bell, mentioned in an interview last week that he likes to spend his spare time going to see some rugby side called Northampton Saints.
WASPS STING........ YET AGAIN
This is rapidly becoming a regular series in this column, but yet again, ‘Just what is Wasps problem with Northampton?’ Taking up the mantle from the departing Warren Gatland the High Wycombe clubs recent signing from soccer, former FA supremo David Davies chose to start squawking about Saints recruitment policy and how it is damaging the English game. He even went on record to say he was ‘depressed’ about the players we had signed. But then again, just like when Wasps Lawrence Dallaglio poked his nose into our business last year on the England captaincy issue its again a case of do what we say not do what we do.
Over the summer Saints have secured a whole raft of young English players including the likes of Dylan Hartley, already making headway in the first team. And who did Wasps sign? Well here’s the list.
Peter Bracken (prop - Connacht, IRELAND), Leon Holden (technical coach – NEW ZEALAND), Ian McGeechan (director of rugby - SCOTLAND), Eoin Reddan (scrum-half IRELAND), Jeremy Staunton (fly-half/full-back - Harlequins - IRELAND), Raphael Ibanez (hooker - Saracens - FRANCE).
Yep not an Englishman among them. So perhaps if Mr Davies really gets so depressed about other clubs business he might care to take a look at his own first, then reach for the Prozac.
SAINTS WITH HEART 4
Plans are already underway for this years Saints with Heart charity walk in aid of the British Heart Foundation which will take place prior to the London Irish game on October 15th. Again there will be two walks, an 18 mile route march from Wolverton meeting up with a 8 mile hike from Stoke Bruerene. If you want to take part, help out on the day or just sponsor someone please email Bob Stainsby at saintswithheart@comeonyousaints.com.
As part of this years SWH4 funraising there will also be a Saints with Heart Quiz Night taking part at Franklins Gardens on Friday 7th October. Entry is per team of four at £20 per team, all profits to the BHF. Email Paul Flatt at pflatt2@btinternet.com for details.
Lets see if we can raise more than the £20, 000 plus raised last year.
Now I know that most of us if we are brutally honest (and opened up our second eye now and then) were a touch worried when the fixture list came out that, given the opposition, we might be stranded at the foot of the table with nothing much to show after two games so to gain four points already is somewhat of a bonus certainly after the drubbing in game one at Tigers. All said and done the people of Northampton will be sleeping a little easier in their beds this week.
Although the seven day turnaround in form was remarkable, even more so given the monsoon conditions that you thought would suit Bath’s steamroller pack, there is still work to be done. I’m sure one of the coaches priorities again this week will be cutting out those penalties that could prove costly not only in points scored, if we came up against a player that kick, but in the potential for referees losing their patience with us and brandishing the odd card or two. Overall though
I think we can move with some confidence into Saturdays game against Newcastle at the Gardens.
FALCONS ON A FLIGHT OF FANCY?
So after a long not so hot summer and two weeks out on the road its back home for the first game of the season on Saturday at a revamped Franklins Gardens and it can’t come too soon. There’s always something special hearing Geoff Allen on the mike announcing ‘Welcome to Franklins Gardens home of Northampton Saints’ and I know for a lot of people it marks the real start to the season. With a packed house a new South Stand to gaze at and the weather outlook looking good it could be one to savour.
It will also mark the home debuts of several players and whilst many eyes will be on the man himself Carlos Spencer I’m sure you will greet each and every one with a extra load Gardens roar.
The visitors are Newcastle Falcons who are having a bit of a rocky start to the season. They ran some peoples tip for the top Sale very close in the opening week of the league but then surprisingly lost at home to new boys Bristol, who even more surprisingly head the table.
However, as with any team in the Guinness Premiership they cannot be taken lightly and have some class acts in their ranks including the likes of Matt Burke, Colin Charvis and Owen Finegan. Ex-Saint Robbie Morris may also be returning to prove a point or two. The Gardens has never been a happy hunting ground for the Falcons however and I’m taking our lads to edge this one to send us all home happy.
POOR OLD WILKO
One player missing from the Newcastle line up is Jonny Wilkinson. Since the World Cup poor Jonny has seemed to have more injuries and ailments than Shane Warne has taken wickets and his appendix operation this week puts him out for a further two months. Of course it was the marketing mans dream, the two most well known No.10’s on the planet up against each other in a Carlos v Wilko duel. Alas it is not to be but given Wilkinsons effect on the game last season when he came off the bench and almost won the game for Falcons, I’m certainly not too down about it.
Talking of cricketers wasn’t it good to see that one of the successful Ashes winning side, Ian Bell, mentioned in an interview last week that he likes to spend his spare time going to see some rugby side called Northampton Saints.
WASPS STING........ YET AGAIN
This is rapidly becoming a regular series in this column, but yet again, ‘Just what is Wasps problem with Northampton?’ Taking up the mantle from the departing Warren Gatland the High Wycombe clubs recent signing from soccer, former FA supremo David Davies chose to start squawking about Saints recruitment policy and how it is damaging the English game. He even went on record to say he was ‘depressed’ about the players we had signed. But then again, just like when Wasps Lawrence Dallaglio poked his nose into our business last year on the England captaincy issue its again a case of do what we say not do what we do.
Over the summer Saints have secured a whole raft of young English players including the likes of Dylan Hartley, already making headway in the first team. And who did Wasps sign? Well here’s the list.
Peter Bracken (prop - Connacht, IRELAND), Leon Holden (technical coach – NEW ZEALAND), Ian McGeechan (director of rugby - SCOTLAND), Eoin Reddan (scrum-half IRELAND), Jeremy Staunton (fly-half/full-back - Harlequins - IRELAND), Raphael Ibanez (hooker - Saracens - FRANCE).
Yep not an Englishman among them. So perhaps if Mr Davies really gets so depressed about other clubs business he might care to take a look at his own first, then reach for the Prozac.
SAINTS WITH HEART 4
Plans are already underway for this years Saints with Heart charity walk in aid of the British Heart Foundation which will take place prior to the London Irish game on October 15th. Again there will be two walks, an 18 mile route march from Wolverton meeting up with a 8 mile hike from Stoke Bruerene. If you want to take part, help out on the day or just sponsor someone please email Bob Stainsby at saintswithheart@comeonyousaints.com.
As part of this years SWH4 funraising there will also be a Saints with Heart Quiz Night taking part at Franklins Gardens on Friday 7th October. Entry is per team of four at £20 per team, all profits to the BHF. Email Paul Flatt at pflatt2@btinternet.com for details.
Lets see if we can raise more than the £20, 000 plus raised last year.
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