15. Nick Abendanon
14. Andy Higgins
13. Shaun Berne
12. Olly Barkley
11. Joe Maddock
10. Chris Malone
9. Andy Williams
1. David Barnes
2. Lee Mears
3. Duncan Bell
4. Rob Fidler
5. Danny Grewcock
6. Peter Short
7. Gareth Delve
8. Isaac Feaunati (Captain)

Replacements: 16. Rob Hawkins 17. David Flatman 18. Chris Goodman 19.Jonny Faamatuainu 20. Nick Walshe 21. Ryan Davis 22. Michael Stephenson

Referee: Wayne Barnes

 

As we enter round three of the 2006/2007 Guinness Premiership season we come up against our favourite opponents, Bath and welcome back with open arms Wayne Barnes as the match day official. Many Saints fans have a dislike towards the West Country boys; I can’t see why, they always deliver us at least four points when they visit the Gardens. No matter the weather the games against Bath are always outstanding fixtures whether its Jon Clarke splashing down for the Try at the Gardens, Olly Barkley’s penalty attempt that made 5 yards, Seamus Mallon’s break away try or just Paul Tupai giving Danny Grewcock a warm welcome. Its not all bad for Bath when the play the Saints though, they get to visit a top of the range stadium which has a lot going for it, mainly the fact its not in Bath.

 
            When the teams met last season, both at ‘The Rec’ and Franklins Gardens, the team in green black and gold came away victorious after a second round 19-7 win at ‘The Rec’ followed by a much closer 24-21 win at Franklins Gardens, thanks to a 74^th minute Mark Easter try. The week before Bath traveled to the Gardens last season, they had just turned over the Leicester Tigers… and then lost at the Gardens, so it can only be a good thing they thumped the Welford Road boys last weekend.

            All Saints’ home Guinness Premiership encounters with West Country sides have been close affairs, and with Bath coming off a heroic victory against Leicester, the same will be expected come Saturday The two sides did not disappoint Franklin’s Gardens’ 10th capacity crowd last season, and the lead changed hands five times during the 80 minutes. Looks like we could be in for a great game , As a Saints fan it hurts me too say this but Bath are currently looking like a stronger squad than they have in past years and could give us a real battle at both the scrum and lineout……..So long as Lee Mears isn’t throwing in…Steve Thompson vs Lee Mears, the England hooker vs the chap who’s just not good enough. But now we have Rob Andrew and Brian Ashton in the set up, Bath and Budgies players should have no problem getting in the England Squad.

            Coming into the season both Saints and Bath had some good results in Pre-season friendlies. Bath won all five, yes that’s five! Of there games against the great sides such as Newbury, Launceston and Parma. Other than a morale booster I cant see how thumping teams 72-0 and then 61-0 is good preparation for a season. It wasn’t only on the pitch Bath made some dodgy decisions in the pre-season, Matt Stevens singing a westlife song on the X-Factor, just wasn’t good… and the main reason lost, although he got further than the only man in the UK with a bigger head than himself, DJ Chris Moyles. The Saints had a much more constructive preseason with games against the financially struggling Llanelli Scarlets and recently relegated Leeds Tykes. The boys also went to Newquay and wrestled on the beach and jumped from cliff faces in what, by all accounts, was a successful exercise in team-bonding.

            As we entered the Season, neither side had made any big name signings with both teams trying to stick by the side we had. In week one Bath lost 24-19 to Glawster, whilst Saints scraped together a somewhat not perfect performance to get a win over the Newcastle Falcons. Round 2 see both Saints and Bath face last year’s finalists… Bath beat the losers, Leicester... whilst Saints failed to take advantage and came away second bests at Edgeley Park, so Steve Borthwick and his men will be marching to the Gardens heads held high after him and his side have worked there way to the dizzy heights of 4^th in the Premiership, whilst an illness ridden saints side dropped to 9^th at the hands of Sale. Although a lot has been learned, both sides will be eager to gain 4 or more points at the Gardens this weekend.

This game is the first of the Northampton Games of this campaign not on Sky Sports which will save the injuries incurred as all those Bath fans try to cram into the one house in the town which has a TV! Carlos Spencer has had a tough opening 2 rounds so far with games against arguable the best 2 fly halves in the England, Jonny Wilkinson and Charlie Hodgson (those of you who went to Edgeley Park, may have noticed he’s sponsored by UKFast) and will feel relieved going into a game where his contenders look set to be either Ollie Barkley or Chris Malone, that’s more of an insult than a challenge to the Kiwi.          

Both teams have some top names in the squad some known, some hidden talent. In the Saints side the men to watch out for would be obviously King Carlos , Pat Barnard , Bruce Reihana , David Quinlan and Christian Short , along with the obvious likes of international wing sensations Ben Cohen and Sean Lamont. The Bath squad has Steve Borthwick. That’s it. It’s still unknown if he will feature at weekend due to a knee injury!

This game isn’t all about the players, the fans and ref always play a huge role in games, and despite how much we love to hate Bath, they  do usually bring a fair few fans with them to the Gardens and no doubt the Bath supporters will be looking forward to a day out where they can experience a first taste of real rugby, electricity and attractive women! They might even be able to buy a sense of humor from the club shop if on time. Now onto the Referee for the weekend, Mr. Wayne Barnes, keep holding your tongue Mr. Lowrence. Wayne has come under fire at recent journeys to the Gardens, and looks out of his depth in the Premiership, but I won’t judge him until Saturday, ok that’s a lie, but ill give him a chance to prove he’s learnt the rules and won’t be intimidated by the likes of Danny Grewcock and the crowd.

Coming into this game Saints are without the suspended Johnny Howard, injured centres Neil Starling, Rhodri Davies, Geoff Appleford and Jon Clarke as well as injured hooker Dylan Hartley. Whilst Bath has an injured prop in England and Lions player Matt Stevens, who was in fact injured last time Bath played at the Gardens, or is he just scared, of another South African born English prop… Also waiting for NHS treatment at Bath is Club Captain Steve Borthwick, who sustained a knee injury at the hands of Leicester. But they have plenty of fat boys to make up for the loss, where as the Saints are starting to struggle for options in the centre. Not only are Saints currently suffering from an injury crisis, but also a mystery bug is working its way through the side so far having taken out Pat Barnard, Steve Thompson, Ben Cohen, Tom Smith and head coach Paul Grayson - all of whom are expected to feature at some point on Saturday.

As we approach this game, I’m sure everyone will want to congratulate Matt Lord who is set to win his 100^th cap for the Northampton Saints on Saturday. Matt starts ahead of once time captain Damien Browne, who is on the bench. Other than Matt Lord in for DB, the only other change from the side which lost to the Sale Sharks is birthday boy Ben Cohen, who is 28 today! He returns to the wing in place of Paul Diggin. The surprise comes to many as Sam Harding isn’t in the 22 for a second week, and wont feature for the Wandies in the game after, mainly as there is no game after…At the time of writing, the Bath rugby side is yet to be announced although Bath lock Steve Borthwick could be fit for this weekend's game. The England player injured his knee during the second half of the impressive 43-25 Premiership victory over Leicester at the weekend. No matter what happens on the pitch, Northampton Saints could be without Carlos Spencer in the coming games as he could be cited for his part in the Hodgson/Carlos ‘Stamp’ Incident at Edgely Park, we will not know the outcome until after the game.

That’s all from me!

COME ON YOU SAINTS

Phil’s Prediction

As its well over 5 years since Bath won at the Gardens and the fact that last time they came off the back of a win against Leicester they lost here. I think we are in for a Northampton Saints home win by 12 points. The Saints will have point to prove to themselves after the defeat at Sale and Bath will want to keep there winning streak against the big clubs going. Come On You Saints!