and having our first game against them is just perfect. I get to go to my second favourite ground to see one team I love against a team I was so disappointed to see get the drop.

Now there are several questions to be answered on Sunday, have the Saints come back stronger and ready to take the Guinness Premiership by storm? Have the Warriors new line up bedded themselves in sufficiently to cause the mayhem that their undoubted quality indicates.

The Warriors have never lost at Franklin’s Gardens and they have also never won the first game of a premier season. So something’s got to give unless it’s a draw!

Pat Sanderson is out for a couple of games after picking up a knock in the game against Ulster last week. So Mike Ruddock has named Greg Rawlinson as captain. On that front we will not be at a disadvantage as Greg will make a really great job of the captaincy. Pats replacement in the back row is Tom Wood, a young player who has all the skills to take a game by the scruff of the neck. He will have to be on the top of his game as Saints have a new recruit in Neil Best of Ireland who will be more than happy to exploit any weakness, physical or mental. But Tom is up to it I am sure of it.

I will let you know my thoughts on the game tomorrow after I get home from the Gardens.

Bookmark or share this story with:

• Digg
• Delicious
• Facebook
• Reddit
• Stumbleupon

SPORTNETWORK SPECIALS