News: HC: Munster Rugby v Northampton Saints - Match Preview

By Daventry Saint
November 10 2011

Here we go then! Rugby Union's premier club competition roars into life this weekend as Northampton Saints travel across the Irish Sea to face Munster in a Saturday tea-time kick-off. Regular COYSDC contributor Daventry Saint looks ahead to a fascinating encounter with his usual comprehensive preview...

MUNSTER RUGBY vs. NORTHAMPTON SAINTS

Saturday, 12th November 2011 - 6pm (Sky)

POOL ONE - MATCH ONE

THOMOND PARK, LIMERICK

MATCH PREVIEW

Given the ferocity, aggression and tenacity that is likely to be on display on Saturday, few would believe that Northampton and Munster have only met on four previous occasions. Such is the rivalry between the two teams that it would be easy to mistake the occasion for a bitter local derby that had years of history. Note however, the use of the word ‘teams’ – not clubs. For the camaraderie between the two sets of supporters is one that is enduring, dating back to the turn of the millennium, and the scene of the Saints greatest triumph – the 2000 Heineken Cup Final. Since that day, the clubs had to wait nine long years to face each other in competitive action; however this meeting will be the fourth in the space of three years.

Currently, the score of games won is evenly matched, with both teams holding two wins apiece. Three of these encounters came in the 2009-2010 Heineken Cup campaign that saw Northampton vanquish the Red Army at Franklins Gardens, but fell prey to the might of the Munster machine at Thomond Park on two occasions. Currently the aggregate score stands at 80 – 68 in favour of the Irishmen, with the 33-19 victory over the Saints in their most recent encounter the largest margin of victory. Whatever the outcome on Saturday, it is unlikely that Northampton will overturn the fourteen point aggregate deficit. Although Munster’s Thomond Park is renowned as being a European fortress, it has been breached in recent memory – none more notably so than in last season’s Amlin Challenge Cup Semi-Final against current Premiership front-runners Harlequins. The Saints can take heart from Quins’ victory there, as well as their two losses in recent memory – Northampton have the chance to strike third time lucky.

Munster head into Saturday’s fixture on a run of form that is some way from being satisfactory. Over the last decade, the Red Army have become accustomed to winning – something that they have in common with the Saints closest rivals, Leicester Tigers. However in recent times Munster have found domination on the pitch far harder to come by, also much like Leicester. It would be foolish to suggest that the might of Munster has disappeared completely, but it does seem very much as if the Limerick side’s star is on the wane. This weekend’s result will certainly go a long way in establishing where each club is in the European hierarchy. Munster, for so long the under-dog turned champion – Northampton, so often the bridesmaid. If it didn’t before, it certainly now has a feel of a new pretender, challenging the elder pack leader for domination of the pride. Of course this is not the Final of the tournament, but if the Saints took the scalp of Munster on their travels, it would certainly lay down a marker to the rest of the competition: “We’re here, and we’re ready for anyone.”

With that being said, Munster are still a very formidable side. They say a wounded animal is often the most dangerous. Munster are certainly in a position where they may be seen as wounded. For the past three seasons pundits and supporters alike have been clamouring to declare the side too old, too far over the hill – but time and time again Munster prove their critics wrong. Unfortunately this season their main problem lie elsewhere – it is not their age and weariness keeping them from hitting top form, but a hefty list of injuries. Just this week Keith Earls was declared unfit for the fixture against the Saints, pulling out due to a potentially severe knee injury. He joins a long list of Munster injuries, including David Wallace (knee), Felix Jones (ankle), Jerry Flannery (back/calf) and Mike Sherry (ankle). Few can argue that those injuries will take a toll on the Munster squad and performance, however with a good number of bright young prospects in their ranks, the Red Army will be hoping that they won’t be massively compromised. Flannery in particular has had a torrid time with injuries recently, as thus it would be reasonable to assume that Damien Varley – an Irish international himself – will provide sufficient cover. Regardless of injuries, Munster still command 4 British and Irish Lions in their ranks in the form of John Hayes, Donncha O’Callaghan, Ronan O’Gara and their talismanic captain Paul O’Connell. Three of those four are likely to start on Saturday, with John Hayes likely to make an appearance from the bench in the latter stages of the contest.

The rest of the Munster side will be built around these three Lions, with the style and outcome of their play dictated by Ronan O’Gara’s boot. The men in Red will look to the experience in their pack to set the tone for the occasion and will then look for O’Gara to distribute well for Lifeimi Mafi and Doug Howlett to punch holes in the Northampton defence. The Limerick side have an embarrassment of riches in the No.9 shirt, although Tomas O’Leary has yet to find top form this season. However a move onto the wings to stifle either Chris Ashton or Vasily Artemyev of space may be on the cards thanks to O’Leary’s impressive defence. Whoever is selected on the wings for Munster is likely to have a busy day attempting to keep Ashton, Artemyev and Ben Foden at bay. Ronan O’Gara’s kicking must also be on top form.

If Munster get enough good ball in the set piece, O’Gara has the ability to pin Northampton back into their own half with pinpoint accurate kicks to touch. Unfortunately the set piece, particularly the scrum, is where Munster are likely to come under the greatest pressure from the Saints.

There have been many sides that have talked down the Saints scrum – particularly fellow Irish provinces Ulster and Leinster. We at Northampton however, are not shy of talking up our most potent weapon. The gargantuan pairing of Soane Tonga’uiha and Brian Mujati in the front row is a tandem that few teams can cope with in the tight. Munster’s own BJ Botha felt the heat in the scrum playing for Ulster in last season’s Quarter-Final, although he may have been slightly under-cooked, only just returning from injury. Botha and his front-row counterparts Varley and Wian du Preez are likely to have their work cut out to stop the Saints scrummaging machine rumbling forward and eeking crucial penalties. The Saints captain Dylan Hartley may also have a large role to play in this battle, as critics often question his tendency to stand up when his pack are moving forward. If Munster are to stifle Northampton’s prowess at the scrum, Botha will have to attack Hartley’s left shoulder and force him upwards. Unfortunately if Botha concentrates too much on Hartley, he may be left to the mercy of Tonga’uiha’s almighty power. Make no mistake, it will certainly be an interesting encounter in the tight.

The Northampton line-up is a particularly tricky one to select. For the first time in a good few years, the Saints have multiple selection options all across the board. Previously you would have been able to select the Northampton ‘Cup Final Team’ with relative ease. However the impact that new signings have made, as well as the development of some younger prospects has made Jim Mallinder’s life a damn-sight more difficult. The front row is likely to be unchanged, with Tonga’uiha, Hartley and Mujati to start and Paul Doran-Jones and Alex Waller making appearances from the bench. The second row is likely to feature Courtney Lawes, who looks like hitting top form following his Man of the Match display against London Wasps. His lock partner is a straight shoot-out between Mark Sorenson and the impressive Samu Manoa. This selection is likely to dictate the manner in which Northampton play – pick Sorenson for balance in the lineout, or Manoa for added physicality and ball-carrying in the loose. Do the Saints want to attempt suffocate Munster, or outplay them? Add to that the selection debate in the back-row. On this season’s form, how can you drop Calum Clark? If you play Manoa, how can you not pick Tom Wood for his lineout ability? When would you ever deny Roger Wilson a game against an Irish province? Would you really leave out the skill, nous and leadership of Phil Dowson on such an occasion? A selection nightmare. That’s without mentioning the conundrum in the three-quarter line. Jon Clarke is likely to start, but who partners him in the centre? James Downey for his ball-carrying and defence? Tom May for his distribution and turn of pace? Or what about the relatively unknown, untried and untested George Pisi, who again impressed for the Wanderers on Monday night? Will Ryan Lamb get the nod for his first real test of character or will Stephen Myler come back in for his game management? I for one, am glad I am not in Jim Mallinder’s shoes. The only guess I can make is that Mallinder loves selection consistency, so look for a relatively unchanged side to that which faced Wasps last weekend.

Few would argue that Munster command respect. However it would be fatal for Northampton to grant them too much respect on the pitch – give Munster enough room and ball, and they will beat you, by hook or by crook. It would also be equally as fatal for Northampton to show Munster a lack of respect, as perhaps they did in the Quarter-Final in 2010. If you don’t respect Munster, they will make you. The Saints must not be intimidated by Munster, the Red Army of supporters, or Thomond Park itself. They must follow the blueprint set out by Harlequins last season – play your own game, stifle Munster of ball, and do not under any circumstances be intimidated, by them, or their supporters. The Saints have come close twice before on this ground, but this may be their most important match yet. Win, and it will set them up in a great position to dominate the group and potentially finish top. Lose and they face a tough, upward battle to get into the Quarter-Final. The group has been touted as the ‘Group of Death’, and few could argue with that tag, especially given the emergence of a number of Llanelli Scarlets players at the World Cup – most notably George North and Rhys Priestland. If either of Munster or the Saints are to ensure qualification from the group, Saturday’s game can be seen as a must-win.

Personally, over the past few weeks this fixture has been one lurking at the back of my mind. I knew it was on the horizon, but I never really gave it much thought. It may have been that I was too concerned with the Saints Premiership form, perhaps it was the World Cup hangover. Perhaps it has been too much University work to think about? Impossible. Nevertheless, over the last few days the occasion has started to creep up on me. After all, this is Munster, at Thomond Park, in the Heineken Cup – games don’t come much bigger. Matches against Munster are always colossal battles, and there are players on both sides that come in for a lot of stick from opposition fans. As is often the case, our captain Dylan is one of the less-popular of our squad, as well as Air Courtney – perhaps unjustly, perhaps perfectly reasonable. But we will stick by them through thick and thin – they are our boys. And if our boys are to succeed in overcoming the Munster machine, they are going to need all the support and noise that our travelling fans can muster. This weekend provides the perfect opportunity to banish the memories of Cardiff and set ourselves on another journey in our quest for European trophies. Let’s not waste it. Come on you Saints.

Sat 12 Nov, 6.00pm: Munster Rugby
DaventrySaint’s Predicted Team:

15 Ben Foden
14 Chris Ashton
13 Jon Clarke
12 Tom May
11 Vasily Artemyev
10 Ryan Lamb
9 Lee Dickson
1 Soane Tonga’uhia
2 Dylan Hartley
3 Brian Mujati
4 Courtney Lawes
5 Mark Sorenson
6 Phil Dowson
7 Tom Wood
8 Roger Wilson

Replacements:
16 Mikey Haywood
17 Alex Waller
18 Paul Doran-Jones
19 Samu Manoa
20 Calum Clark
21 Martin Roberts
22 Stephen Myler
23 George Pisi

Saints by 8.

News: HC: Munster Rugby v Northampton Saints - Match Preview

Posted by: ComeOnYouSaints.com (IP Logged)

Date: 10/11/2011 13:59

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