News: One Last Time at the Gardens - Worcester Preview

Northampton Saints welcome Worcester Warriors to Franklin's Gardens this Saturday knowing that only victory guarantees to prolong their season. Eddie P looks ahead to the Saints' last match at FG this term...

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs. WORCESTER WARRIORS

Saturday, 5th May 2012 - 2pm (Sky)

FRANKLIN'S GARDENS

MATCH PREVIEW

And so the end of the league season is upon us and once again we are fortunate enough to be in a position where we have a chance to be involved in the knock-out lottery that is the play-offs.  The week before last Colonel Jim Mallinder rode out of the wild West having put to bed the Tomahawk Tribe leaving Saints in the box seat for the fourth Semi Final spot.

The Exeter Chiefs will still harbour faint hopes of improving on an already impressive season by turning over the Saracens in “their own” back yard in what would be an almighty upset. This Saracens team will be fighting for the victory that could see them secure a home semi-final if Bath can do the unthinkable at Welford Road or Sale can squeeze out Quins. All games kick off simultaneously at 2pm so every team approaches their match looking to do what every sports team anywhere does, win!

Whilst our destiny is in our own hands it would be unprofessional and foolish to discount the threat of the Warriors who have defied all odds to keep themselves in the premiership in their first season back in the big time. Richard Hill has built a team who, on their day, are capable of giving anyone a run for their money. Their return to the top flight of English rugby has seen them beat last season’s champions Saracens, Sale Sharks, Gloucester and not forgetting that dreary Friday September night in the West Midlands when Saints were defeated in the reverse of this weeks fixture. Worcester’s mathematical safety was assured when the Falcons slipped to defeat at home to Saracens so this week is a nothing game for them and their performance in their last match against London Irish showed very little that should worry Saints.

Prior to the defeat in September last year, Saints have won every encounter between the two teams in the last five years (all in the premiership since when we were down they were up, and when we were up they were down, and when we were only halfway up…I digress) with Worcester’s last victory coming at Franklin’s Gardens on New Year’s Day 2007 in an epic 9 – 10 victory which I cannot recall for the life of me. Whether that is due to the standard of rugby on show or the hangover that I will have inevitably been nursing, I cannot say.

One thing is certain, Saints need a win of any description on Saturday and that will be enough to see us into the Premiership Semi-final. But who will be the starting fifteen for the game? Given the injuries and suspensions we are struggling with any real depth to the squad and the team is more or less picking itself once again.

15 Ben Foden

14 Chris Ashton (last game at Franklin’s, please show appreciation)

13 George Pisi

12 James Downey (last game at Franklin’s, please show appreciation)

11 Paul Diggin

10 Ryan Lamb

9 Lee Dickson

1 Soane Tonga’uiha

2 Andy Long (last game at Franklin's, please show appreciation)

3 Brian Mujati

4 Mark Sorenson

5 Christian Day

6 Phil Dowson

7 Ben Nutley

8 Roger Wilson (last game at Franklin’s, please show appreciation)

16 Mike Haywood

17 Alex Waller

18 Paul Doran-Jones

19 Courtney Lawes

20 Teimana Harrison

21 Martin Roberts

22 Stephen Myler

23 Tom May

Let’s raise the roof for the lads. Other than Tiny’s Testimonial (tickets on sale now) you won’t be back at The Garden’s for a few Months so make the most of it.

Come on you Saints!