Aviva Premiership Big Match Preview - Northampton v Gloucester

 

With all the commotion kicked up by the Six Nations it's easy to forget that there's still an Aviva Premiership chugging along, carrying on English rugby's ridiculous tradition of playing potentially title or relegation deciding matches with teams shorn of all their European Internationals.

Saints v Glarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrster (to put it in a more legible way for you West Country folk) is always a humdinger of a game – 2 abrasively physical teams with a fair bit of panache out wide – that has the potential to warm even the most miserable of rugby fans in the middle of this almost insultingly cold February.  Speaking of miserable, Saints had endured a pretty wretched end to 2012, slipping out of the playoff places, before an outstanding win at Raven Park against Ulster seemed to kick start their season again, whilst the Cherry and Whites have mirrored their opponents form by looking the real deal throughout September and October before falling away dramatically – culminating in a shock defeat at home to relegation-courting London Irish.

Saints still have the now tedious problem of using two fly halves who are both as about as consistent as a tossed salad; neither has a long enough run in the team to properly gel a backline before they are dropped for the inevitable once-a-month shocker they endure, and the constant chopping and changing of the Saints 10 doesn't allow a backline to settle. Gloucester meanwhile have some serious gas out wide but are still lacking some bite in their tight five.  In fact, with Ben Morgan injured, if you took away superb Fijian Akapusi Qera, the pack is about as threatening as a bag of kittens – much to the disdain of any "Shed Head" who harks back to the "good old days".  Despite the negatives, there is plenty to play for.  Up for grabs is a cheeky spot in the play-off zone – 4th to be precise – with current incumbents Wasps facing a daunting trip to Quins.  Don't discount either of these sides yet.

Northampton Team News

With England International benchwarmers Dylan Hartley and Courtney Lawes off on a jolly in England, Saints bring in Mikey Haywood and the brilliantly-named Samu Manoa for a start.  James Wilson also gets a start in place of the injured Ben Foden.

Starting Line Up: Wilson; K. Pisi, G. Pisi, Waldouck, Elliott; Myler, Dickson; Tonga'uiha, Haywood, Mercey; Manoa, Sorenson; Dowson (capt), Nutley, Van Velze.

Replacements: McMillan, Waller, Doran-Jones, Craig, Oakley, Roberts, Lamb, May.

Key Player

George Pisi.  The Samoan international is a slice of genuine class in the Saints backline.  The 13 has fantastic feet, balance and strength, meaning he invariably breaks the gain line, and the offload game to turn those half breaks into tries.  A solid defender, his sidestep is so good it should only be shown with "Don't try this at home" disclaimer – I attempted it, and ended up with a torn knee ligament.

 

Gloucester Team News

Jonny May and Nick Wood return from England Saxons duty, while Darren Dawidiuk, Will James, Akapusi Qera and Dan Robson also come in.  Gloucester are also missing full internationals Billy Twelvetrees (who is starting for England on Sunday) and Ben Morgan (injured with a sprained ankle).

Starting Line Up: Cook; Sharples, Tindall (capt), Molenaar, May; Mills, Robson; Wood, Dawidiuk, Harden; Lokotui, James; Savage, Qera, Kalamafoni

Replacements: D'Apice, Murphy, Thomas, Buxton, Cox, Cowan, Monahan, Thomas

Key Player

Akapusi Qera.  When he hits form, he is almost unplayable – and Gloucester usually benefit with a win when that's the case.  He single-handily demolished Leicester in October, making yards with his carries and forcing turnovers with his huge tackling, and the Cherry and Whites will be expecting more of the same.

 

Key Battle

Pisi v Tindall may seem like a bit of a one way battle, with Tindall now the same speed, and appearance, as a lethargic turtle, but the ex-England man still hits hard.  If he can put Pisi off his game early on then he will have nullified the Saints best attacking weapon behind the scrum.  If he gets stood up though, Tinds and his teammates will have a very long afternoon.

 

Head to Head

·         Northampton ran out 24 – 19 winners against the Cherry and Whites on the first day of the season

·         Gloucester have won just 1 of their last 4 Premiership games.

·         Gloucester have now not scored a try in over 270 minutes of Premiership rugby

 

Prediction

Gloucester look a bit unsteady at the moment and will feel the loss of their England men more than Saints.  Northampton to win by 10.
 

  

Other Fixtures

 

Sale v Exeter - Sale enjoyed a morale boosting win over Wasps at the weekend but Exeter will enjoy sending Naqelevuki down Cipirani's channel.  Chiefs by 5.

 

Bath v Worcester - Bath enjoyed hammering Gloucester last weekend and a trip to the Rec will be too much for the visitors.  Bath by 10.

 

Leicester v London Welsh - Welsh's best chance to beat Leicester after the Tigers have been shorn of their internationals.  Strength in depth and Welford Road factor to pull through though.  Leicester by 15.

 

London Irish v Saracens - Irish have had a mini resurgence but Sarries still have the experienced players to bully a win out of this game.  Sarries by 5.

 

Harlequins v Wasps - Despite being without key men Chris Robshaw, Danny Care and Mike Brown, Quins are just too good at home.  Harlequins by 10. 

PS watch for the battle between Easter and Vunipola...