News: Saints to the Stoop to Conquer? Harlequins Preview
By PelerinStJames
May 10 2012
After securing their spot in the end-of-season play-offs against Worcester Warriors last time out, Saints travel to London to face Harlequins on Saturday afternoon in the first of the semi-finals. Regular COYSDC contributor PelerinStJames looks ahead to the game...
HARLEQUINS vs. NORTHAMPTON SAINTS
AP-SF: Saturday, 12th May 2012 - 2.45pm (Sky)
TWICKENHAM STOOP
MATCH PREVIEW
It strikes me that these days, the idea of the regular season is simple – get into the top four (ideally top 2), and then start playing. As history shows, Wasps were the past masters at this, and Gloucester, well, they weren’t. As Saints fans will recall in 2010, simply winning the most games between September and April guarantees nothing, not even the kudos of finishing top of the regular table, let alone a final place. All you get for 7 months endeavour is the chance to prove again that you are the best, with the starting advantage of a home semi- final. Conversely, for the side that finishes 4th, there still remains a shot at glory, after all, the only trophy there is, is for the side that wins the Premiership Final. So, forget what has gone before, the slate has been wiped clean, it is time for knockout rugby, where, as both sides know, anything can happen.
As it happens, neither Saints or Quins have tasted success in the play-off Semi Finals, Quins losing their only other appearance at this stage of the season at home to London Irish in 2008, and the Saints being pipped at various times by Wasps, Sarries and Leicester. So, whatever happens on Saturday, one side will be making club history. For Harlequins, it would be a fitting end to what has been a remarkable season for them. They started brilliantly, with their fast moving offloading game taking them undefeated deep into December, when they lost in Europe to Toulouse, and then domestically against reigning premiership champions Saracens in front of a then world record crowd at their other home, The Big Stoop. Despite a loss a FG, and then losing some key players to England, Quins have never the less maintained their position at the top of the table, and thoroughly deserve their home advantage.
Like Northampton, despite their long and proud history, Quins have never been crowned English Champions. Twice winners of the old knock out trophy (including defeating Saints at HQ in 1991), and three times winners of the secondary European Trophy, they have beaten both Munster and Toulouse away in the last two years and are certainly not a side to be underestimated by any stretch of the imagination. Led by the incumbent England captain and player of the year, Chris Robshaw, and guided by the Kiwi Nick Evans at 10 and Nick Easter at 8, the Harlequins brand of rugby is generally a pleasure to watch, with young skilful English players very much to the fore, many of whom are tipped for future international honours, if indeed, they haven’t already got them.
As for Northampton, a stuttering season is drawing to its close, yet here we are, hanging on in there, and only two games from glory. The media are very much portraying us as the underdogs, and it is very hard to disagree with that. Quins are riding high on confidence and belief at the business end of most probably their most successful season ever, where as Saints have toughed it out through a seemingly endless series of distractions and inconsistency. Yet we still find ourselves in with a chance. Contrary to last year, the players are fresher, and the squad has more depth to it. Our substitutions have been making a big impact and we have plenty of big game players to call upon. Whilst Quins have the edge in youthful exuberance, Saints possess with in their ranks the greater experience and have consistently threatened a big performance, yet not quite delivered it. Well, there is no time like the present to do so. For a number of players, this could well be their last outing in the Green, Black and Gold, and no doubt they will be desperate to finish at the Big, rather than Little Stoop so what is certain is that no Saint will lack for motivation.
As far as the teams goes, injuries permitting, I think they line up something like this;
Harlequins
15 Brown
14 Williams
13 Lowe
12 Turner-Hall
11 Smith
10 Evans
9 Care
1 Marler
2 Gray
3 Johnston
4 Kohn
5 Robson
6 Fa’asavalu
7 Robshaw (c )
8 Easter
Northampton Saints
15 Foden
14 Ashton (Armstrong or Artemyev if not)
13 Pisi
12 Downey
11 Diggin
10 Myler
9 Dickson (c )
1 Tiny
2 Long
3 Mooj
4 Sorrenson
5 Day
6 Craig
7 Dowson
8 Wilson
There are mouth watering match ups all, with many players up against their direct rival for the England shirt, and it promises to be an intense battle all across the pitch. With two sides committed to producing entertaining and running rugby, I am expecting it to be a relatively high scoring affair, and a game that any neutral should enjoy. Saints have an edge for me up front and in the tight play, and will certainly need to maintain dominance here to prevent Quins playing their preferred high tempo game. Nick Evans will seek to control the game, with Mike Brown a constant threat coming up from full back. For the Saints, Foden, Ashton and Pisi provide the cutting edge in the backs, and are capable of ripping through any defence, especially on the counter attack.
Semi-Finals are normally a day for cool heads in the most intense of pressurised situations, and I believe that the side that remains calmest in the heat of battle will win the day, with only a single score separating the two sides. Harlequins are worthy favourites for they have home advantage, form and momentum, yet for me, this Northampton side are due a big performance and I think that the players will rise as one to the occasion, and led by the departing Wilson, Downey and Ashton, sneak a narrow victory 30-28 at the death.
COYS – History beckons…
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Many thanks!
Come On You Quins!!!!
The game's afoot;
Follow your spirit: and upon this charge,
Cry — God for Harry! England and Saint George
It will be a great game, and good luck to both sides (not to much for you Saints); but I will definitely be supporting which ever team wins this semi in the final!!!
COYQ!!!!
If we get the predicted downpour tomorrow, I wouldn't bet your mortgage on a high scoring game, as The Stoop is prone to getting a bit boggy, and must be very waterlogged already.
Here's hoping for a fine day and some terrific rugby - and may the best team win!!
Quins of course
I'd like to see us with a more balanced back row - Dowson at 8 with Craig and Nuttley from the resources we have available.
I also agree Stooperman with your sentiments, if we were to lose !
Saint til I die
COYS!
Always enjoy games against Saints, Franklins Gardens is my favourite away ground. Can't wait for Saturday. look forward to seeing some of you there....
Quote:BrianB
I'd like to see us with a more balanced back row - Dowson at 8 with Craig and Nuttley from the resources we have available.
Drop Roger!?! Really?
Fantastic preview. Can't wait!
Quote:Harley Quin
seeingsomeLOADS of you there....
Great Preview
Like Dorset I am overwhelmed by hope!
David L
What if there were no hypothetical questions?
- Live wrong and preposterously
Quote:DorsetSaint
An annoying preview. I had absolutely convinced myself we will lose prior to reading this. Mentally I had already come to terms with defeat. But reading this gives me hope. It's the hope I can't cope with.
DS,
I believe this is what you are referring to...
It's the hope I can't stand."
Will we beat Harlequins? Form suggests not. Can we beat Harlequins? Oh hell, yeah!
There's another film quote that I like. Try this one...
"I find I'm so excited, I can barely sit still or hold a thought in my head. I think it's the excitement only a free man can feel, a free man at the start of a long journey whose conclusion is uncertain. I hope I can make it across the border. I hope to see my friend, and shake his hand. I hope the Pacific is as blue as it has been in my dreams. I hope..."
I'm sure I can work that one round to Saintly colours...
I too am now nervous when before I was resigned to defeat.
If we win it will put me in a tricky position. I am already flying home to UK from Singapore twice this summer for weddings and graduations, another trip would put a bit of a strain on the finances, and an even bigger strain on my neck if Mrs Hoddros gets hold of it.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012:05:11:09:02:03 by ElmaFudd..
This season Roger has played some good games against average opposition and average games against good oppos. It's good oppos all the way from now on.