News: AP: Northampton Saints vs Worcester Warriors - Preview

What Ho, Wooster!

Once again the weekend is upon us, and this one brings with it a visit to the Gardens for the Wooster Warriors. Now in their second season back in the Premiership and currently sitting 9th without a win, they will be looking to build upon last seasons 10th place finish and push themselves further up the table towards the much coveted Heineken Cup spots.  As for the Saints, well, so far so good, 3 wins from 3, one of only two teams with a 100% record.  For most pundits, I suspect, a home win is something of a foregone conclusion, particularly when you consider Wooster currently have 12 injured players out of their first team squad of 36, and haven’t won in the league since March.

However, dig a little deeper, and what do you see? Firstly, Saints have injuries too, and important ones at that. Up front, Mujati missed last week’s game, and his replacement, Mercey, came off injured. James Craig is still out, and Van Velze suspended. Courtney had his first outing as a replacement last week, albeit for only 20 mins, and will no doubt continue to be eased back in from the bench. Further back, last years player of the year George Pisi missed the Exeter game, young winger Jamie Elliott remains hors de combat, and is joined on the long term list by one Mr Foden. The ever reliable Digger has had a recent operation, and further twittering show that James Wilson has been nursing an injured knee. Such is the Saints way in that injury updates are never ever given, so picking this week’s team is akin to picking my lottery numbers. At least, for once, the main debate is not around who will play 10, but instead, who will play 15. With Fodes and last years stand in, Digger, both injured, and new recruit, Wilson, possibly injured, it leaves us with Artemyev and current Wanderers 15, Cato, potentially filling in out of position. Wilson certainly looked the part in the pre-season games with great awareness of space, a fantastic off load and a great boot to boot. Hopefully, he will be fit enough to start this week, leaving Artemyev and Pisi the Younger on the wings. If not, I would go with Russian international Vas at the back, with Armstrong coming in on the wing.

In the centres, it looks like being perm any two from three this year, with Pisi the Elder, Waldouck and Burrell all showing great form and potential to develop the various different combinations as their understanding of each others games increases, so there is no great need to rush George back in. At 10, well it’s pretty obvious that, as is Jims’ way, Ryan Myler will start, and be replaced by Stephen Lamb after 50 minutes, with Dicko at 9.  (Unless there are any EPS rules currently in force that mean England players need resting, and therefore we may see Roberts from the off.) Now, I accept that our injuries may not be as numerous as Wooster, but they are in key positions, and to some of our most influential players and so our squad depth is certainly being tested at the moment.

The other thing to note is that so far this season, both sides have already played Bath and Glos. Granted, Saints played them both away, and Wooster at home, but all four games were incredibly close, and very much in the balance right up until the final whistle.  And here in lies the difference. Saints managed to hold on to their lead, Wooster didn’t, conceding penalties at the death that meant Bath won with the last kick of the game, and Glos drew. Such are the fine lines in sport that, but for the bounce of the ball, the weight of a kick or a simple knock on, Saints could quite easily be one win from three, behind Woosters two from three. Certainly, Wooster look a far more attacking side than last year, and I suspect one of the key issues for them currently is the strength of their bench, and in particular the front row. They have got themselves into winning positions after 79mins, but just not been able to close the game out. Equally, from what I saw of it, they pushed Leicester most of the way at Welford Road in their other game, and just missed out on a losing point. It occurs to me that what this Wooster needs is to find their Jeeves to mastermind the untanglement of whatever mess they find themselves in, and ensure they get their just rewards.

Both sides have also hampered themselves with their indiscipline, receiving 4 yellow cards each in the 3 games so far, often at crucial times, so Saints will have to be on their best behaviour or they will be punished by the boot of former England man Andy Goode. I also expect that who ever is playing full back for Saints to be thoroughly tested by the high ball. Sadly, former Saintsmen John Clarke and Neil Best are on their injury list, but James Percival will be returning to his former club, and I think we can expect him to be start.

For Saints, injuries permitting, I am predicting

15  Wilson

14  Pisi the Younger

13  Waldouck

12  Burrell

11  Artemyev

10  Myler

9    Dickson

1   Tiny

2   Hartley ©

3   Doran-Jones

4   Day

5   Manoa

6   Dowson

7   Wood

8   Oakley

For Worcester, maybe something like this

15  Pennell

14  Walker

13  Grove

12  Matavesi

11  Lemi

10  Goode

9    Perry

1    Mullan

2    Lutui

3    Andress

4    Schofield ©

5    Percival

6    Jones

7    Kvesic

8    Cowan

As you can see, there is plenty of experience within the Wooster XV, and is full of some very good club players.  What is certain is that they will be a tough nut to crack, but given home advantage and the Saints superior strength in depth, I am confident that the Saints will march on, 100% record intact. At this stage of the season, it is the collection of W’s that is all important, none of us will remember with any clarity how they were achieved by the end of the year.

But that said, I don’t believe that we have played anywhere close to our best, and discipline has been a key issue, so I expect that the coaching team will be demanding a more complete performance and a bonus point win. (I know the crowd will be). I think that the Saints will do just that against a spirited but ultimately underpowered Wooster side, and pull away in the final quarter to secure a comfortable 39-17 win. At least I hope they do. I don’t think my nerves can take another final five minute thriller, one score behind, wondering whether Wooster will find yet another way to give the result away.  Last minute Lamb penalty to win, anyone?