By Simon Robinson
March 25 2009

A break from Guinness Premiership action this weekend for Northampton Saints as they are sent to Coventry to face Cardiff Blues in the semi-final of the EDF Energy Cup. This is the second match of a double header at the Ricoh Arena and for those not travelling is live on BBC2. COYSDC contributor Simon Robinson steps in at very short notice and looks ahead to the match...

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs CARDIFF BLUES

EDF ENERGY CUP – SEMI-FINAL

SATURDAY, 28^th MARCH 2009 – 5.15pm

RICOH ARENA, COVENTRY

MATCH PREVIEW

Saints get back on the Anglo-Welsh trail this weekend, hoping to make a return to Twickenham to play in the big boy’s game compared to last season’s National Trophy victory. Cardiff Blues – who, like ourselves, are also in a European quarter final in a fortnight – stand in our way.

While this might not have the finesse of OSB or the controversy of RedSaint, no-one else wanted the job so you’re stuck with me!

By the time our game kicks off at 5.15pm we will know whether it will be Gloucester or Ospreys that the victors will face on April 18th. Fortunately the prospect of a Spencer-inspired clobbering at HQ is out as he’s cup-tied.

While Saints have been battling through the Six Nations, Cardiff have had a three week rest. Hopefully the Saints can capitalise on this match rustiness and put in a stronger performance than at the Madejski on Sunday. With the return of Euan Murray, Dylan Hartley and Scott Gray almost certainties and with Nacho Lobbe and Paul Diggin also expected to be back, I would expect a team along these lines:

Foden

Diggin, Ansbro, Downey, Reihana

Myler, Dickson

Tonga’uiha, Hartley, Murray

Lobbe, Kruger

Best, S Gray, Wilson

Subs: Sharman, Smith, Lawes, Easter, Everitt, Mayor, Ashton

Cardiff will be without Andy Powell who has a thigh injury, I would guess at a lineup similar to the one that faced Gloucester in January:

Leigh Halfpenny

Gareth Thomas, Tom Shanklin, Jamie Roberts, Tom James

Nick Robinson, Jason Spice

Gethin Jenkins, Gareth Williams, Gary Powell

Deiniol Jones, Scott Morgan

Ma'ama Molitika, Martyn Williams, Xavier Rush

Saints have not faced Cardiff in a competitive fixture since drawing them in back-to-back Heineken Cup pools in 01/02 and 02/03. The last game was a 31-0 Saints victory at the Arms Park in December 2002. Try scorer Tom Smith is the only surviving Saint from that fixture.

If Saints can win the battle up front – where two top contenders for the Lions test props face each other - then there’s a chance of getting back on the road to Twickenham. I reckon it’ll be a tight game, but if Saints give away silly penalties like last weekend then they will be punished for it. Hopefully a return for Nacho will add a cool head in a crisis.

My prediction – Saints by five. Don’t forget your Swindle predictions – the thread will start on Wednesday as usual.

News: EDF (SF): Saints vs Cardiff Blues - Preview

Discussion started by ComeOnYouSaints.com , 25/03/2009 17:10

ComeOnYouSaints.com
25/03/2009 17:10

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:03:29:17:56:21 by Phil..

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Phil.
25/03/2009 17:17

Many thanks for stepping in at such short notice, Smurf!

"It's not the despair, Saints, I can take the despair. It's the hope I can't stand."

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Howlin
26/03/2009 00:17

So we are playing a mixture of teh welsh national team and the southern hempishere. I thought this was a club match ???

Saint til I die

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Eif Jones
26/03/2009 02:22

I assume that this competition is played under WRU Heineken guidelines with 6, rather than the 4 in the Magners, non-natives in the 22. It means that Ben Blair is a shoe-in for full back and goal kicker, with Halfpenny replacing either Gareth Thomas or, more likely, Tom James. If fit Tito will come into the 2nd row, probably replacing Morgan with Bradley Davies also in contention. The Blues will have a very strong bench. The key to the game though is how well Robinson plays, on form he is a class above either of the Saints no 10s.

dej

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Ha! Wasn't Me
26/03/2009 07:15

Can I just say, in the 4th paragraph, it should be

'AND the return of Nacho....'

v. good btw

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smurfomatic
26/03/2009 07:21

Eif - if only someone as knowledgable as yourself had volunteered for the preview it'd be more accurate than getting someone to write it at short notice.

AshtonFan - I knew there'd be a typo somewhere!

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Ha! Wasn't Me
26/03/2009 07:42

[www.northamptonchron.co.uk]

comformation that Nacho & Digger are back..

Your saints team is probably right then!

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eb13saint
26/03/2009 08:55

Are we home or away for this? I want to get the 'it's those awful white shirts' excuse in early...

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SAINT_aitch
26/03/2009 12:31

Excellent work Smurf.

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smurfomatic
26/03/2009 14:04

As for the home/away situation, we're technically the away side so we may have to change (not sure if the kit clashes).

Also something I forgot:

Weather for Saturday - 9C, 30% chance of showers

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Beef
26/03/2009 22:07

Good work Smurfo. Thanks for stepping in.



Terrace 'B' next to Mav, Shaddo, AB, Jeremy and Spud.

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Wee Jim
27/03/2009 08:02

Well done Smurf for stepping up - good preview and I think you are spot on - the battle up front has to be won. Jenkins will be a handful - anyone who doubts that should watch last nights rugby club!

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