Northampton Saints
News: GP: Northampton Saints vs London Wasps - Match Preview
By Rob Leach
March 25 2010
After lifting their first silver-ware of the season last weekend in the LV= Cup Final, Northampton Saints return to Guinness Premiership action on Saturday with the visit of London Wasps to Franklin's Gardens. Regular COYSDC contributor Rob Leach looks forward to an eagerly anticipated game...
NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs LONDON WASPS
GP: Saturday 27th March, 2010 – 5.30pm
FRANKLIN’S GARDENS
MATCH PREVIEW
“No matter the score the fans are lovely”
And so with one piece of silver firmly locked away in the cupboard it’s back to the Guinness Premiership. I missed last weekends triumph at Sixways because quite simply I messed my calendar up and could not face telling her ladyship that we would need to cancel the holiday – my life would have been over. And so, whilst meandering through the Peak district countryside my mind turned to Saturdays game and more importantly the dreaded preview that I promised.
History suggests that Wasps have been ‘pests’ from the day they were founded back in 1867. The Club (so history says) gained its name largely due to the fashion of the Victorian period when clubs tended to adopt the names of insects, birds and animals. The name in itself has no particular significance other than this vogue. Well, I beg to differ. Research suggests that presiding over the club in its embryonic stages was Mr. James Pain, who was elected as First President. The committee members of the time, led by Lawrence Dallaglio latched on to the link between Pain and Pest and a simple thought process led to the name Wasps – largely recognised as the Pests of the animal world. I can not remember when Wasps became the team I dislike the most – I even struggle to answer the question “why do you dislike Wasps so much?”. I mean, I don’t actually know any Waspies, they have never really done anything to annoy me and yet recently, when asked which Rugby Shirt would I dislike to wear the most without hesitation or repetition I shouted aloud "Wasps". I suppose, in all honesty the ‘dislike’ stems from an acute attack of jealousy when I look at the honours list associated with them..
Courage League/Zurich/Guinness Premiership
Champions
2007/08
Champions
2004/05
Champions
2003/04
Champions
2002/03
Champions
1996/97
Champions
1989/90
Heineken Cup
Winners
2006/07
Winners
2003/04
Parker Pen Shield
Winners
2002/03
Anglo Welsh Powergen Cup
Winners
2005/06
Tetley's Bitter Cup
Winners
1999/2000
Winners
1998/99
As I gaze out at yet another grey March morning I can not help admire what this club have achieved. I suppose deep down I am thinking that they have achieved what I am hoping Saints will achieve over the next ten years or so. For the first time in many a year I feel we are able to not only compete with the likes of Wasps but are capable of stealing their ‘most successful’ team in England mantle.
Historically, results have gone the way of the pests.. Oops, sorry Wasps, the following highlighting the headlines that have been written over the years.
In the Premiership against Wasps its 9 Wins, 15 Defeats and One draw
4 October 2009
Wasps 20 Saints 15
Wasps held off a stirring fightback from Northampton to get back to winning ways in the GUINNESS PREMIERSHIP
http://www.guinnesspremiership.com/rugby/11962.php
22 February 2009
Wasps 9 Saints 5
Northampton nipped to win by Wasps
http://www.guinnesspremiership.com/rugby/1128.php
20 September 2008
Saints 24 Wasps 20
GUINNESS PREMIERSHIP champions Wasps lurched to their third consecutive defeat of the season as Bruce Reihana bagged 17 points in front of an ecstatic Franklin's Gardens.
http://www.guinnesspremiership.com/rugby/830.php
15 April 2007
Wasps 35 Saints 29
Mark van Gisbergen landed the two late penalties which boosted Wasps' GUINNESS PREMIERSHIP play-off hopes and left Northampton's relegation survival hopes hanging by a thread.
http://www.guinnesspremiership.com/rugby/263.php
22 December 2006
Saints 8 Wasps 6
Northampton hauled themselves further away from the bottom of the GUINNESS PREMIERSHIP table by snatching a famous win over Wasps.
http://www.guinnesspremiership.com/rugby/987.php
12 February 2006
Wasps 19 Saints 19
As both Wasps and Northampton Saints showed the frustration brought on by having depleted squads through international call-ups only Dallaglio - who had touched down at Heathrow only a few hours before kick-off - brought some order.
http://www.guinnesspremiership.com/rugby/977.php
12 November 2005,
Saints 13 Wasps 21
Scrum-half Eoin Reddin and Rob Hoadley crossed the whitewash for the visitors while Alex King added one conversion to his three penalties.
http://www.guinnesspremiership.com/rugby/785.php
20th February 2005
Wasps 39 Saints 9
Wasps demolish Northampton Saints
http://www.guinnesspremiership.com/rugby/501.php
2nd October 2004
Saints 9 Wasps 10
A downpour just before kick-off and continued showers through the first half made handling difficult and with passions running high, referee Ashley Rowden never seemed to be off his whistle.
http://www.guinnesspremiership.com/rugby/744.php
16th May 2004
Saints left standing by wilful Wasps
Wasps 57 Saints 20
http://www.guinnesspremiership.com/rugby/455.php
April 2004
Wasps 31 Saints 5
England Flanker Joe Worsley, prop Will Green and wing Tom Voyce scored tries for Wasps, with fullback Mark van Gisbergen contributing the rest of the home side's points through his boot.
http://www.guinnesspremiership.com/rugby/483.php
Sept 2003
Saints 27 Wasps 17
The win will be a relief to Saints coach Wayne Smith after a draw with Sale and a loss to Bath in their previous two games, although for Wasps it marked their second defeat in three outings
http://www.guinnesspremiership.com/rugby/755.php
Latest Fixtures
I thought Wasps were executing one of their last minute climbs up the Guinness Premiership table but that Pizza moment defeat at Sale and the defeat at Leeds has slowed up the progress.
Northampton Wasps
Northampton – Gloucester 30-24
Northampton - Sarries 31-20 19-8 Sale - Wasps
Sale - Northampton 7-15 24-19 Wasps - Gloucester
Northampton – Leicester 19-3 26-10 Leeds Carnegie - Wasps
Harlequins - Northampton 13-6 9-0 Wasps - Saracens
Northampton - Newcastle 25-13 22-16 Wasps - Sale
Northampton - Leicester 23-11 3-9 Newcastle - Wasps
Sale - Northampton 14-20 13-18 Wasps – Scarlets
Head to Head Statistics
SAINTS WASPS
Kicks from Hand 423 442
Lineouts Lost 33 46
Lineouts Won 175 188
Passes 1706 1384
Rucks Lost 22 23
Total Rucks 1071 847
Scrums Lost 11 34
Tackles 1111 1469
Carries 1375 1163
Metres 5364 5110
Offloads 151 93
http://www.guinnesspremiership.com/stats/optateam.php
What the Waspies Are Talking About These Days
I like to visit the opposition’s Message Boards to try and understand the ‘mood in the camp’ before the game. It seems that the development of a new ground is the number one topic of conversation in Waspy land along with the usual comments about a ‘new song’ (didn’t know they had one if I’m honest )
Wasps On The Move?
“The LONDON part of the name will stay because London is where the team originated from, and our training ground is in London...sorry if that’s bothering you...why don’t LONDON Irish drop the London?. It’s because they came from London that’s why...and can’t wait to see what the ground will be like”
New Songs?
“I've been a Wasps season ticket
holder for 2 years now and I'd love to be able to have something to sing apart
from oggy oggy oggy!
I HAVE A NEW CHANT!
( to the tune of 'Go West' by Village People and Pet Shop Boys)
GO WASPS, BLACK AND YELLOWS BEST
GO WASPS, BLACK AND YELLOWS BEST
GO WASPS, BLACK AND YELLOWS BEST
GO WASPS, YOU ARE THE BEST!
What do you think? It's quite catchy!”
“This subject comes
up time and again on rugby message boards, ours in particular. Why do people
feel the need to have a special song to sing? Whilst Northants fans are lucky
to have "Oh when the Saints" as a ready made ditty it doesn't half
get boring after an hour and a half. Chanting and team songs are all part of
the confrontational side of Footie supporting IMHO. Anything that takes Rugby towards a clear "them and
us" support atmosphere is surely a bad thing for the game? I went to the
Challenge Cup final last year, the drumming of the Bourgoin fans wound up the
Northants fans who started singing and chanting in response which got the
Bourgoin fans even more worked up. It wasn't long before the stewards were
looking and acting increasingly concerned. When the "friendly"
chanting became abuse laden the stewards felt obliged to step in and have
words. It was one of the worst atmospheres I've experienced at a Rugby match (wearing a Wasps shirt the
banter I got from the Saints massive was of course of the highest quality!). It
wasn't anything deliberate by either set of fans either, just a constant
escalation of the challenge/respond style of singing/chanting so often observed
in the round ball game.
Link
Anyone going to Saints?
“Anyone else going? Have a feeling it will be a tough old afternoon! Dont know where we're sitting but know we'll be surrounded by lots of green and black! Will we have the EPS guys back? That might just give us a sniff of a chance, but it'll still be really tough.”“Yeah nice, they get Fodden and Ashton back and we get Tim Payne.”
“I have been to saints many times. No matter the score the fans are lovely. Atmos is always brilliant. U never know we might spring a suprise “
After all the negativity and nonsense that came from the Saracens I thought the last comment was quite complimentary.
For the Travelling Wasps
Recommended places for a Pre/Post match Beer
The Malt Shovel http://www.maltshoveltavern.com/
“You're always guaranteed a warm welcome at this renowned real-ale pub located just south of Northampton town centre. Inside you will find a large selection of first-class hand-pulled beers as well as a wide range of other drinks including continental beers, wines and single malt whiskies.”
The Railway Club
Often missed by the travelling fans – cheap and cheerful ‘club’ located next to the Railway station.
Thomas A Beckett http://www.mcmanuspub.co.uk/index.php?page=thomas-a-becket
“Paddy and his team welcome you to the Thomas A' Becket. A warm, friendly and traditional pub awaits you. The Thomas A' Becket serves both hot and cold food every day and has everything from live bands to sports coverage. ( Between the railway station and the ground )”
The Foundry Mans Arms http://www.mcmanuspub.co.uk/index.php?page=the-foundrymans-arms
“The Foundryman“ is a local pub with a friendly feel to it. It's a good all round traditional pub that offers great entertainment ranging from live bands through to live horse racing..”
Car Parking
Avoid parking on the streets anywhere near Franklins Gardens – you will get a ticket. Ample space in the Car Parks behind Franklins Gardens, or the Station Car park. The Car Parks at FG are well sign posted.
Eating
Plenty of options in the Weedon Road if you like good honest Fish and Chips or perhaps a good curry. In the ground itself, the Hog Roast remains a favourite along with the Balti Chicken. The town itself is a 30 minute stroll from the ground if you want more choice. The Six Fields area is just 20 minutes walk away where you will find the Cineworld Cinema with nine screens,( in case you leave at half time) McDonalds, KFC, TGI Friday's, Frankie & Benny's, Red Hot Bar and Buffet, Pizza Hut, Megabowl and an Old Orleans American, Mexican Theme restaurant.
Oh, and the Preview of the Game
Oh drat, I have forgotten – I am supposed to be writing some sort of preview to the game within which I offer an insight into how the teams will line up, how each will play and what I predict as the outcome. Who knows! I imagine the internationals will return, I predict that team selection will be a challenge for Jim and I predict a home win providing that Jim and co have managed to retain team focus and the players have sobered up. The search for the second piece of silverware continues and the Pests will be looking to forget that defeat up at Sale. Enjoy the game.
Possible Saints Team Possible Wasps Team
15 Bruce, Ben, Shane 15 Gisbergen
14 Ashton 14 Varndell
13 Joe, Clarke 13
Waldouck
12 Downey, Shane 12 Jacobs
11 Bruce,Digger 11 Lemi
10 Shane, Smyler 10
Cipriani
9 Dickson 9 Fury
8 Wilson 8 Dan Ward-SMith
7 Best 7 Betsen
6 Lawes, Dowson 6 Worsley
5 Kruger 5 Leo
4 Lobbe, Lawes 4 Veale
3 Euan, Mujati 3
Broster
2 Dylan, Sharman 2 Webber
1 Tiny 1 Zak Taulafo
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:03:25:12:10:56 by Phil..
Many thanks for a fine read.
Quote:The committee members of the time, led by Lawrence Dallaglio
As for the Wasps comment about the Challenge Cup final, as one who was sat one row in front of the Bourgoin fans I can confirm they were causing trouble before kickoff. The Saints fans who appealed to the stewards after having things thrown at them got very little response except being invited to move somewhere else.
Photo Gallery
![[:wor kid:]](/phorum-5.1.15/mods/smileys/images/13.gif "[:wor kid:]")
As phil said, obviously a lot of time was spent putting that together Rob, time that wasn't wasted in any sense.
Saint til I die
Phil
Sometimes Bleach, it's too easy!
How about landing him with a quick 'no it's not Fezzheads it's Fezzboys!!'
"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.
You missed the point entirely - that was not Rob Leach's comment but from a Wasps Season Ticket holder!
Phil
Props 1 (Vickery),2 (Hobson - I believe he joined us at the start of the season but injured all the time), 4 (French- but he may be back), 5 (Beech) are all injured. We have been rescued by a Samoan and a Welshman.
Second Rows 1 (Shaw), 2 (Skivington), 3 (Birkett) all injured.
Scrum Half 1 (Simpson), maybe 2 (Honeyben) and probably 3 (a young player called Sparkly) injured.
But our back all seem to be in order although Mr Smith is still lost somewhere between us and Leeds.
You will also enjoy the preview on our site.
No alcohol for January. I'm a dryathlete in aid of cancer research.
Dryathlon
And you didn't miss anything at Sixways anyway. Worth staying away if this is what you come up with.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:03:26:10:21:48 by LaurieK.
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