NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs WYCOMBE WASPS

GP: SATURDAY 20^TH SEPTEMBER 2008

FRANKLIN’S GARDENS – 3pm

MATCH PREVIEW

Having tasted defeat last week Saints to Newcastle, Piggy has received so very bad news about this week . . .

Breaking News: The Gardens are in need of Pest Control. . .

Dear Sir, we have pests visiting our gardens and wonder what pest control should we adopt . . .?

How do you control a Wasp? You take the attack to them...

Wasps are a puzzle to me. Having worked in Wycombe for nearly ten years, I realise that few in Wycombe are passionate Wasps fans. Indeed seven years ago, I met Connor O’Shea trying to flog Irish in the Town. People in High Wycombe like the club, but there is nothing like the passion that you get in Northampton. Indeed, it is great to meet passionate Wasps fans but they are likely to come from Watford or Barnet.

Visiting Wycombe for a game, you realise that no one has the commercial acumen to get the extra out of you (unfortunately not true at FG) and they seem to pay a lot to bus fans in. Therefore, the job their coaches and players have done is truly incredible! They have lifted a small club with big debts to great heights. The question for Saints is what can we learn? Well we learnt a lot from our last meeting.

The last time we played the Wasps we lost. That was April 2007 and Saints have only lost once since. Unfortunately, that loss was last week. However just a little recap from the latter stages of that match in April 2007 (courtesy of the Times):

“Any hope Northampton had of a comeback were effectively ended when Lewitt crashed into Sackey after he had touched down, earning Wasps a penalty from kick-off. Wasps kicked play right back into Saints territory and Lewsey put the icing on the cake with Wasps' fourth try in the corner after a powerful drive forward from Tom Rees.”

The word is power. If you look at that game the Wasps team then it is virtually identical to the team that played last week, exceptions being Bracken for Payne, Flutey for Waters and the lack of Day-glo. In comparison, Saints have only seven of those players left in their Squad.

The two teams have journeyed in different directions since that meeting in April 2007, only playing each other at “A” team level. The first of those matches at Dry Leas was a reminder of what pace Wasps players can generate. However, this victory was achieved by going to ground. We must wonder whether the new directive is “Wasp Friendly”.

After the two matches, Northampton Saints meet a London Wasps team who have not started the season looking like Champions. Indeed, we are sure to hear that Wasps do not come out until spring, mirroring their insect namesakes.

Wasps are unlikely (I believe) to change their side substantially. The Gardens might not see Betsen, or more importantly, Sharky, it is likely to see a mixture of familiar names both young and old. So far, the rugby this year from all Premiership teams has been full of unforced errors. This is also true of the Saints: missed kicks, poor decisions (what was Dylan doing?) and lack of linkages. Saints have had phases in which they have gained clear ascendency. However questions remain.

The biggest question is selection. Having watched all the pre-season matches except Cardiff I think Jim has given places to those who performed. However, is this the time to look at Air Ben II? Should Jim look again at the centre pairing, especially if JC is not fit? Could someone encourage Flash not to kick, but to run!! I would also pick Shields we need a good lineout. So are we going to come out on the attack? I hope so.

This is the middle game of the first crucial five fixtures and if we want to find out where a new team is in their progress, what better than a match against the reigning champions.
So who would I pick:

15 Bruce, Bruce
14 Ashton
13 Ansbro
12 Mordt
11 Lamont
10 Spencer
9 Foden
8 Wilson
7 Gray
6 Best
5 Day
4 Lobbe
3 Murray
2 Shields
1 Tonga’uiha

Prediction - pests controlled and a lot of lessons learnt.

pic courtesy Chris Hoddle

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