News: AP: Northampton Saints vs Saracens - Final Preview!
By PelerinStJames
May 29 2014
With silverware already in the trophy cabinet after last Friday's magnificent Amlin Challenge Cup success over Bath, Northampton Saints travel to Twickenham this weekend in pursuit of the one trophy which has eluded them so far - the Aviva Premiership title. One of COYSDC's finest contributors, PelerinStJames, looks ahead to Saturday...
NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs SARACENS
THE AVIVA PREMIERSHIP FINAL
Saturday, 31st May 2014 - 3pm (BT)
TWICKENHAM
MATCH PREVIEW
¡Ultreia!
Saracens v Northampton Saints
Ultreia, now there is a word for you to savour and enjoy, go on, say it, say it out loud, “ Ull-tray-ah”, say it again, and let the word grow in your mouth and in your heart, for this is a truly wonderful word, beloved for centuries across Europe and beyond by the followers of St James. It is a word that has multiple uses and meanings, and in truth I have yet to find an adequate English translation, however the best I can come up with is “Onwards” or “Go further” or “Go Beyond” but it also means so more! (and if you don’t believe me, say it to one another and find out for yourself)
Ultreia is most commonly used as a greeting, and /or a shout of encouragement or recognition amongst the Pilgrims of St. James en route to Santiago de Compostella. Walking along quiet country lanes in SW France, and northern Spain, shouts of Ultreia would come from random passing cars; local people in cafes and restaurants would offer cups of coffee to the passing pilgrims with a single word, Ultreia; groups of pilgrims would gather each morning outside the hostals and sing “Ultreia” before setting off on their next days’ walk.
Ultreia is a word that both signifies and embodies the membership and belonging to the community of the Pilgrims of St James, and a word that is best understood through feeling it, not hearing it. A word that, if it didn’t before, now forms part of your own lexicon as we complete our season long pilgrimage and head down to the Cabbage Patch Cathedral in search of that elusive Premiership Title. We are of course, so close to the journeys end, and what a journey it has been.
Together, we have witnessed Saints score more tries than any other team, and concede less, we have seen and enjoyed both brilliance and beauty before our very eyes, but also endured the pain and suffering of defeat and disappointment as the pathway unfolded before us. From the sublime of Jamie’s try of the season against Glos, to the ridiculous refereeing not even a minute later that condemned us to defeat or the agony of the home thumping by Leinster to the ecstasy of that victory in Dublin, sport never fails to deliver anything but a roller coaster ride, which I would suggest, is the very reason we follow our team so intently and so passionately no matter where the journey may take us. There now remains just one last battle standing between this Northampton Saints Team and them becoming Champions.
The match up against Saracens is truly fascinating, the top 2 sides over the regular season meeting in a winner takes all contest for the title. Now, whatever you may think about Saracens, it is extremely hard to deny that something special hasn’t happened in north London over the last few years. Let us not forget that they have achieved the highest number of league points ever this year, losing only 3 matches, and they have also reached the Heineken Cup final. It was not long ago that it was said it was impossible to compete on 2 fronts, so reaching both major finals in one season certainly deserves major kudos in my book. Saracens have certainly stood up to their hype this year.
The growth of the Saracens club also deserves a special mention, not long ago, they were generally a mid table team, tenants in a not particularly nice football stadium, who now have transformed themselves into a genuine top class side with their own ground and a growing and increasingly vibrant support. They are, in my opinion, excellently coached, and have built and developed a club ethos that is definitely working for them. Whilst it is (too) easy to point the finger at the size and quality of their players in terms of the salary cap, nothing has ever been proven, and as for the multi-million pound losses on the bottom line, let us not forget that only 20 odd years ago, Saints themselves were equally dependant on their benefactors generosity before becoming one of the very few clubs who have now reached financial sustainability. No, credit where credit is due, something special has happened at Saracens, not, I hasten to add, that I want to be any part of it myself!
That said, I do not however subscribe to the view that Saracens are as revolutionary as they (and the media) like to make out. Looking after one’s players as best you can, helping them develop as people, both in and outside the game, having regular bonding trips, community work has been going on at every club for years, it is just that Saracens marketing department enjoy blowing their own trumpets louder than everyone else. Some ideas work, others don’t; those that do, will/have become traditions, those that don’t become publicity attracting gimmicks. The Saracens faithful seemingly enjoy both standing up and gathering, and good luck to them, it’s your club, your traditions, and your ways of doing things. We like singing Wendy, something which no doubt irritates their fans immensely too.
So what of our Saints then? The talk in the papers is of a last minute fitness test for Dylan, and just what would that mean to have our captain back in the fold. The opportunity for Saintly redemption following his sins last year, is but one of the fairy tales story lines that may well be written come Saturday night.
Indeed, one of my ideas for this preview was for a Hans Christian Andersonesque piece combining such stories as Little Red Riding Wood (where a young archer called Tom kills the wolfpack dressed in Grannys clothes) and Diggerella (where a forgotten 1st teamer and now reduced to academy coach receives a last minute call up, plays a blinder and Chris Ashton turns into a pumpkin at the final whistle.) It should also be remembered for every Saintly script writer and dreamer, there is a Saracen counterpart who will no doubt be going to bed in his Dennis the Menace pyjamas tonight, hoping to see the Steve Borthwick end his stellar career on a massive high by lifting the trophy aloft. Proof that one mans’ dream is definitely another mans’ nightmare!
Should Dylan start or make the bench, that for me would be a huge bonus for saints, but should only happen IF he is fit enough to do so. Both McMillan and Heywood have excelled in recent weeks, however the return of a fit Dylan can only be of benefit to the cause. Salesi will no doubt be back, and boy, has he worked out how to endear himself to the Franklins faithful, especially with his Tiger thumping exploits the other week. With either Corbs or Alex Waller on the other side of the front row, and with Mako Vunipola out for Sarries, this could be an area where Saints can hopefully gain a big advantage in the tight. Personally, I would select Day and Lawes in the 2nd row, with Manoa at 8, Wood and Clark on the flanks. Harsh on Dickinson and Dowson perhaps, but it is a 23 man game these days, and they will be able to make a huge impact off the bench when called upon.
Kahn or Dickson, Dickson or Kahn at 9 I suspect will depend on the game plan, but Myler will be at 10. North at 11, and Burrell at 12. The ever dependable Wilson may just shade the 13 shirt given his superior kicking game, but I would expect Pisi, Pisi and Foden to be at 13,14 and 15 respectively.
Suggested Teams...
Foden 15 Goode
Pisi K 14 Ashton
Pisi G 13 Bosch
Burrell 12 Barritt
North 11 Strettle
Myler 10 Farrell
Fotuali’I 9 Wigglesworth
Corbisiero 1 Barrington
Heywood 2 Brits
Ma’afu 3 Stevens
Day 4 Borthwick
Lawes 5 Hargreaves
Clark 6 Burger
Wood 7 Brown
Manoa 8 Vunipola
What is indisputable is the number of close calls for selection throughout the squad, and it is therefore no wonder that there are no new additions announced for next year. This Saints squad is as strong as I have ever seen it in over 30 years of going to the Gardens, and this weekend certainly could prove to be a defining moment in both theirs and the Clubs history. Then the Saracens XV is packed full of internationals, and throughout there are fascinating match ups – North v Ashton, Burrell v Barritt, Myler v Farrell. On paper, it certainly looks to be a very, very close contest.
What is clear is this, for each team, the destination is now in sight, and the journey that was began way back last summer with pre season training is about to come to an end. Agony or Ecstasy awaits, with the Glory going to go to the team prepared to go that extra bit further than their counterparts, onwards and beyond to reach their noble destination. Each and everyone of them will have been transformed by the journey so far, yet it is always the final steps and the final barriers that are the the hardest to take and overcome. At this point, it is strength of spirit that counts, strength of mind and strength of self, knowing that there is no more that can be done on the practice field or in the gym and analysis rooms, only performance in the battle ahead.
The Saracens spirit and togetherness is much documented, yet from what I have seen in from our Saintsmen this season, there is a certain sense of togetherness and brotherhood that has grown and developed over the last few years forged in no small part in the despair of defeat, which has now spread out into us the supporters and followers of Northampton Saints. The phrase “It’s our time” may well have been stolen by our opponents, but the belief, feeling and spirit of unity and belonging behind it has certainly not. This, just like the word Ultreia, cannot be readily defined, it is something more, for it is intangible, more a feeling, perhaps a sense of knowing which conveys a strength of purpose, belief and unity. As supporters, we can ask no more of our players than to remember this and go onwards, further and beyond, for if they do, then the glory will be theirs.
It IS our time
¡Ultreia!
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David L
What if there were no hypothetical questions?
- Live wrong and preposterously
“Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one.”
Benjamin Franklin
Tetleys Block F E143
It's probably my being a one eyed Saints supporter but looking at the individual match ups if I was choosing a best team I'd have 9 Saints and 6 Sarries.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014:05:30:08:16:12 by lilyg.
Really very excited now.
Once a scrum half .... always a scrum half
#letsdoitforleon
ss
But....I am very, very confident that tomorrow it is indeed "Our Time".
#letsdoitforleon
Saint 'til I die
See y'all tomorrow.
Many thanks to all those who have done write-ups over the last 9 months.
Let's do it, with this wonderful inspiration ringing in our ears.
The team are fit, the preview is writ - one more sleep...
*I could agree with you - but then we'd both be wrong...*