News: AP: Northampton Saints vs Exeter - Match Preview

By Coventrian Saint
November 12 2014

At the end of a week that has seen the whole world pay their respects to the countless heroes that have lost their lives in conflict, the Saints return to Aviva Premiership rugby against Exeter Chiefs, in a match that will see the club pay their own respects with a mark of remembrance at the Franklins Gardens Memorial prior to the 7.45pm kick off.

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs. EXETER CHIEFS

AP: Friday, 14th November 2014 - 7.45pm

FRANKLINS'S GARDENS, NORTHAMPTON

MATCH PREVIEW

Whilst carrying out some research prior to writing this preview, I came across a quote by probably the most famous Chief of them all – Chief Sitting Bull – and I found it to be rather poignant given this weeks focus of remembrance: “What makes a warrior, is being brave and having courage in the truth of what he believes” Chief Sitting Bull.

2014 Exeter 1 The Exeter Chiefs travel to the Gardens on Friday night, on the back of a 3 match winning streak, following wins against Connacht (ECC), Gloucester and Bath (both LV). The Devonshire Men have also been in impressive form in the Aviva Premiership, and currently sit 3rd in the table, having played 6, won 4 and lost 2 with notable wins against Gloucester (22-25) and Quins (36-13).

The last meeting between the two sides, took place in last seasons LV Cup Final with a 15-8 victory over the Saints securing the first major trophy in Exeters 143 year history.

Ever since their promotion at the end of the 2009/10 season, Rob Baxter’s men have grown year on year from ‘relegation probables’ to ‘potential top 4 challengers’. In my opinion, one of the key principles behind this ascension can be found in the quote by Chief Sitting Bull I mentioned earlier – be brave, and have courage in what you believe.

From the moment he took over the reins in 2009, and immediately recruited former Saint Ali Hepher as his assistant, Rob Baxter began to build his vision at Exeter, establishing a core group of players to build his team around, and instilling whole hearted belief in his approach of powerful forward play and fast, exciting backs play (by both players and coaches). For me, these foundations are a key reason behind their success, and serves as a good lesson that London Welsh could’ve done with following, rather than replacing almost the entire of their promotion winning team with a group of ‘has beens’ and ‘never will be’s’, and adopting a Baa Baa’s approach to match play.

Much like ourselves, alongside international players, such as Dean Mumm (Australia), Tom Johnson and Jack Nowell (both England), the Chiefs squad is also full of young players that are surely destined for international honours in the future. One of these is hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie. Having won the Six Nations and Junior World Championship with England U20’s, the 22 years old has already received a large amount of praise across the rugby community, with former All Blacks legend Sean Fitzpatrick tipping him as one of the most promising young hookers in the world.

2014 Exeter 2 With praise like that, coupled with several years of solid Premiership performances, you can’t help thinking whether he might be being looked at by Jim Mallinder as a potential replacement for Mr Hartley, should the lure of Montpellier be too enticing to turn down…He certainly fits the Mallinder criteria (young, English, looking for future honours etc).

This brings me nicely onto the subject of rumours. No doubt all of you have seen/heard the rumours linking several of our key players with moves to France this week, and I know that there have been several threads on the discussion boards, but I thought I’d throw my tuppence in…. Of the three transfer rumours (Samu to Toulon, Dylan to Montepellier, G.Pisi to Castres), there is only one that I think will truly affect the team, and will need a momentous signing to replace him – Samu Manoa.

Don’t get me wrong, Dylans leadership and presence on the pitch will be hard to replace, as will George’s power and pace in the centers, however I think we have more than able replacements already in Mikey Haywood and Tom Stephenson (or James Wilson), with Woody or Daisy stepping into the club captains role. ‘Big Sammy’s’ will be a lot harder to replace despite the likes of Sam Dickinson, Jon Fisher and Teimana Harrison. Since joining the Saints several seasons ago as a complete unknown entity, Samu has taken the Premiership by storm, and his powerful ball carrying and bone crunching defense have seen him gain plaudits the world over, and he is the sort of player we need to try to retain, and keep within our armory.

That said, in these days of professional rugby where players are only a tackle, ruck or maul away from a career ending injury, I don’t blame any of the players if they do decide to move across the Channel to increase their pay packets whilst they still can…Who amongst us wouldn’t turn down the opportunity of doubling our salary?

Back to Friday night, I expect Saints to bring some of the regular first XV back into the team and go on to win a closely fought match, with Exeter leaving the Gardens with a losing bonus point.

Predicted teams as follows:

SAINTS

15 Ben Foden 14 Jamie Elliott 13 Tom Stephenson 12 Dom Waldouck 11 Tom Collins 10 Will Hooley 9 Lee Dickson 1 Alex Waller 2 Mikey Haywood 3 Salesi Ma’afu 4 Samu Manoa 5 Christian Day 6 Phil Dowson (capt) 7 Calum Clark 8 Jon Fisher

Replacements: 16 Ross MacMillan 17 Ethan Waller 18 Tom Mercey 19 Ben Nutley 20 Teimana Harrison 21 Joel Hodgson 22 James Wilson 23 Howard Packman

EXETER

15 Byron McGuigan 14 Jack Nowell 13 Henry Slade 12 Sam Hill 11 Matt Jess 10 Gareth Steenson 9 Will Chudley 1 Ben Moon 2 Jack Yeandle 3 Tomas Francis 4 Dean Mumm (capt) 5 Damian Welch 6 Dave Ewers 7 Don Armand 8 Thomas Waldrom

Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie 17 Carl Rimmer 18 Moray Low 19 Ryan Caldwell 20 Ben White 21 Haydn Thomas 22 Ian Whitten 23 Adam Hughes

News: AP: Northampton Saints vs Exeter - Match Preview

Posted by: ComeOnYouSaints.com (IP Logged)

Date: 12/11/2014 17:17

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