By Jim Bruce
February 16 2007

It's back to the Guinness Premiership as Saints entertain NEC Harlequins at FG on Saturday. Little Jim looks ahead to the game...

 

Return of the Bruce or yet another “must win game” for Saints?

 

Saturday sees the return to the thrills and spills of the Guiness Premiership after a 3 week interlude for the Six Nations. The international tournament doesn’t completely disappear as the on going club v country debate rears its head with clubs being asked to rest their international players in preparation for the resumption the following weekend.

 

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs. NEC HARLEQUINS

 

SATURDAY, 17th FEBRUARY 2007 - 3pm

 

MATCH PREVIEW

 

Saint’s 11^th position means such a debate is best left to one side while the battle for points and league position continues. Our visitors this time are Harlequins, who, since we gifted them their first premiership win upon their return have enjoyed a better run of form than Saints. Indeed already their players are knocking on England’s doors with Nick Easter making a sound debut against Italy while Strettle showed great potential scoring a fine try for England A. Some might further draw further comparisons between the national side and the two clubs and see an indication of Saints waning star in  that they have no players on England duty. However taking that line and you can point to a fine game by Dylan Hartley for England A and COYS own Charlie Beech crossing the whitewash for England U21s and say Saints do have a future.

 

Therefore Saturday’s game is doubly important if Saints future is to remain in the Premiership. Yes it is one of those must win games that are all too common these days for all the wrong reasons. If you are going to lose 5 of your last 6 league games then the remaining fixtures are “must win”. What makes it a doubly intriguing match is that Harlequin will regard this as a must win game too if for different reasons. If Saints are generous to give them a win they will sit very secure in the GP and will be able to plan for a longer and brighter future.

 

So there is everything to play for which sets up a rather nice spectacle for both sets of supporters.

 

During the break from the league Saints played the visiting Argentineans in a game that, as a result of many injuries to more familiar names saw a chance for other squad members to stake their claim for the future. Luckily the rapid recovery means the 22 that run out on Saturday will have a more familiar look to it. One very heartening and refreshing return from injury is that epitome of saintliness and spurut Bruce Bruce Bruce Reihana. He looks likely to be named in the 22 and while we mustn’t look on him as the return of the messiah it is one piece of genuinely good news in a bleak season that could galvanise the team, the club and the supporters. Like Carlos he can’t win a game on his own but like Carlos his name on the team sheet does cause the opposition to stop and think. That’s all that’s needed.

 

Up front Pat Barnard makes a welcome return as does that eternal Saint wee Tam. Coupled with the pocket battleship that is Dylan Hartley they should offer plenty up front. In the back row both Browne and Easter are injured and Hopley looked to be stepping up until the Saints injury curse struck and he needs a fitness test. What price using Saone as a No 8 if Hopley doesn’t make it? He’s an able ball carrier and his size and strength would be an asset in the back row.

Most of the backs have returned to fitness with Quinlan likely to start at 12 and Cohen and Lamont on the wings so there some semblance of continuity at last. However Myler at 10 and Spencer at 13 would be an interesting and useful experiment – if we can risk experimenting in a “must win “game. If Diggin isn’t fit will Bruce start?  – either way, if he comes off the bench stand by for the roar from the stands!

 

Harlequins are as follows:

15. Mike Brown
14. David Strettle
13. Mel Deane
12. Stuart Abbott
11. Ugo Monye
10. Adrian Jarvis
9. Andy Gomarsall
1. Aston Croall
2. Tani Fuga
3. Mike Ross
4. Ollie Kohn
5. Nicolas Spanghero
6. Andre Vos
7. Paul Volley (Capt.)
8. Nick Easter

Replacements:
16. Jimmy Richards
17. Ricky Nebbett
18. Jim Evans
19. Chris Hala'Ufia
20. Steve So'oialo
21. Tom Williams
22. Hal Luscombe

 

Nick Easter will have plenty of motivation after winning his England cap and in Andre Vos and Paul Volley Harlequins have an experienced back row. They will look to get the ball out to their nippy wingers namely Monye and Strettle. With another wise old bird in Gomersall and Abbott make the most of any quick ball their pack supplies Saints will need to be alert at the break down. Any defensive lapses will be punished by the ‘Quins back line who will doubtless be looking for 5 points.

 

Saints could to well to follow the example Harlequins set during the second half of our visit to the Stoop and focus on doing the basics right, then the points will follow.

Right I know I’m supposed to make a prediction now but first a confession. I’ve a real soft spot for Harlequins, so much so I would begrudge them a win especially if the rugby is entertaining. No it’s nothing to do with their tremendous support for SWH5 honest. It’s a bit like watching England and Scotland – I’ve such a fondness for both sides all I really want is to enjoy the rugby. So safe travelling to Franklin’s Gardens to all the ‘quins supporters and I hope you really enjoy the day. Right hand on heart, give us a Saints win – we jolly well need it!

 

Northampton Saints

15 BRUCE REIHANA (capt)
14 SEAN LAMONT
13 Robbie Kydd
12 DAVID QUINLAN
11 BEN COHEN
10 CARLOS SPENCER
9 MARK ROBINSON
1 TOM SMITH
2 Dylan Hartley
3 Pat Barnard
4 Damien Browne
5 Christian Short
6 Alex Rae
7 Darren Fox
8 PAUL TUPAI

16 MATIAS CORTESE
17 SOANE TONGA’UIHA
18 Matt Lord
19 Ben Lewitt
20 Johnny Howard
21 Stephen Myler
22 Matthieu Bourret