News: HC: Northampton Saints vs Ospreys - Match Preview
By PelerinStJames
October 18 2013
After returning from La Belle France with a hard-earned losing bonus point in their pocket, Northampton Saints welcome Ospreys to Franklin's Gardens in Round Two of the pool matches in this season's Heineken Cup. Regular COYSDC contributor, PelerinStJames, takes a look ahead to the game...
NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs OSPREYS
HC: Sunday, 20th OCTOBER 2013 - 12.45pm (Sky)
FRANKLIN'S GARDENS, NORTHAMPTON
MATCH PREVIEW
To New-Boldly Go…..
Now, it had not been my intention to write a preview this month; I am away for 2 weeks, so why not have a break and give someone else the chance to have their say on the forthcoming Saints game? However, as no one else is seemingly prepared to give it a go, and I have a little bit of time up here in a place called Newbold House where I am currently volunteering, I may as well share my thoughts on the weekend ahead, which I find now is very nearly upon us.
Not, I hasten to add, that I have watched much Rugby in the last week or two, other than 2nd half of the 2nd half of the Castres game. (Somewhat unbelievably, even to me even now, I was busy practicing handstands whilst waiting for a bus at kick off time) As for the Ospreys V Leinster, nope, sorry, didn’t catch any of it, so have absolutely no idea really as to either side played or what happened other than the written press and the pool of knowledge that is the assembled and honourable contributions of ComeonyouSaints.com. What is more, the Ospreysrugby.com forum is currently unavailable so any up to date information on our visitors will have to be gleaned from the COYS contributions of a certain Mr Jones, so this preview may or may not have much rugby content at all, but then, some may argue that that has never stopped me writing before.
For want of any better inspiration, I have just looked up and seen this on my bedroom wall.
Until one is committed there is the chance to draw back; always ineffectiveness.
Concerning all acts of initiative and creation there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans:-
That moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too.
All sorts of things occur to help one that would not otherwise have occurred.
A whole stream of events issue from the decision, raising in ones favour all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would come his way.
Whatever you can do or dream you can begin it. Boldness has genius, magic and power.
Begin it now!
Goethe
(Llanelli and Wales, 1749-1832)
So there you have it, the Saints need to be bold and they need to commit to the new game plan. Of course any changes always take a while to settle down. By all accounts, things did change over the summer down at FG in the way that they train and also in the type of game that they are wanting to play. No doubt this is the influence of Alex King at work, as we are starting to see a quicker, more open game from the Saints. (And why not when you have the quality of squad all the way through from 1-15 and onto 23 and even beyond that.)
However, it is worth remembering that change does take time to bed in, for it to become second nature and perhaps most importantly, develop the confidence in the new procedures that when it doesn’t work (and no plan is ever permanently successful) the courage is still there to persist with it. It is not necessarily about how many training sessions, or how much practice or desire there is, it is about the individuals involved committing to, and continuing to believe in, the new patterns and the new people around them and not simply resort back to the old habits and old patterns. This understanding and trust between the players old and new can only be forged in the heat of battle and will only get stronger through time and practice out where it counts most, on the field of play.
So whilst we all want the Saints to win every game, the reality is of course very different; each time our heroes take to the field, there are another 15 blokes equally hell bent on beating us as we are them. And for this weeks’ opponents, the Ospreys, it can be argued that for their Heineken cup dreams to continue, this is a must win game. Such is the depth of competition in this group that winning all your home games is considered essential for progression, and having lost against Leinster in Wales, they will be desperate to make amends on Sunday. There is certainly no denying the quality of their team; their forwards are full of British Lions and their backline powerful and creative. Players such as Adam Jones, Justin Tipuric, Richard Hibbard and their captain Alun Wyn Jones are all battle hardened warriors who will test our forward pack to its limits, whilst behind them the hard running centre combination of Bishop and Beck will provide stern competition in midfield. In Dan Biggar they have a prolific kicker, so the Saints penalty count will need to be kept low.
As for the Saints, well, this year, it has proved easier to select the 23 rather than the 15 as each game has generally produced a change or two. With Corbs out, expect the Waller Brothers to man the loose head berth between them, and would also expect Dicko back to the starting XV. For those that like team selections, here is who I would play, fitness permitting.
15 Foden
14 Elliott
13 Wilson
12 Burrell
11 North
10 Myler
9 Dickson L
1 Waller A
2 Hartley ©
3 Mercey
4 Day
5 Lawes
6 Wood
7 Clark
8 Dickinson
I very much believe that confidence in the Saints camp will be high this week, given all the international call ups, and that is a team that is very capable of winning this game. Saints have yet to lose at FG this year and see no reason for this not to continue despite the undoubted quality of the opposition. The growth and development of any team is always a process of evolution, an ongoing process and the one constant aim throughout the season. Be bold Saints, for within our ranks lies genius, magic and power; Be bold Saints and begin it now!
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
So, thank you - it's a smashing read!
----------------------------------------
Please sponsor me for Saints with Heart [www.justgiving.com]