Heineken Cup Preview - Northampton Saints v Leinster

I recently bought tickets to the Heineken Cup Final at the Millennium Stadium next year.  Cost an arm and a leg and half my flat's furniture, of course, but I bet it'll be worth it no matter who is playing.  I'm ashamed to say I've only been to the Millennium Stadium once – and that was back in 2002 when Leicester played Munster in 'that' final.  Helped enormously by the infectiously passionate Munster fans and the typically vocal Tigers faithful, it remains one of the best atmospheres I've ever experienced at a live match.  That, from the TV looks to have been replicated several times in recent memory, when Wales played England last year and, in fact, last week's match against Australia are two recent examples.  But surely one of the most intense and electric atmospheres must have been at the 2011 Heineken Cup Final, when Leinster clawed their way back from a giant half time deficit to claim a spectacular triumph.  The only difference between that game, and the previous 2 I mentioned, is that I suspect that game will not have to be replayed at the Millennium Stadium to recreate the same incredible atmosphere.  For that reason, Franklins Gardens is the place to be this weekend.

Let's cut to the chase, the Saints are still stinging after that defeat.  The cup looked to be in their back pocket, only for it to slip away from their grasp under a torrent of pressure from a Johnny Sexton-inspired Leinster side.  The indignity of running out of juice on European club rugby's biggest stage has long haunted the East Midlanders – the spine of whom remain unchanged from that fateful day in May two and a half years ago.  And, just for good measure, the local press in Ireland has stirred things up nicely by publishing this lovely article ahead of the weekend.

Don't get me wrong, Saints are no…er…Saints.  In fact they seem to run on having one very-public and very-severe disciplinary issue a year, most recently involving the likes of Dylan Hartley and Callum Clark on a rota.  But to suggest that they're at the forefront of the demise of rugby's spirit is simply ludicrous.  I take Courtney Lawes as a perfect example of Northampton's play – quick, aggressive and powerful…and right on the edge of the law.  It's what makes them such a dangerous side to play against and frankly a great side for the neutral to watch.  And Lawes, 99% of the time, is on the right side of the rulebook, fully committing himself to some monstrous hits.  And sure, Hartley may enjoy a good mouthing off every now and again but I seem to note that a current Irish legend, heralded by his countrymen as the greatest player to ever pull on the green jersey, is a master at mouthing off at the opposition.  Yes, 'Saint' Brian O'Driscoll is indeed partial to right moan/flurry of verbal abuse when the going gets tough – if not a little more, as he showed when he pointlessly got himself sin-binned for stamping against Italy last 6 Nations.

So, having established that neither side is squeaky clean, we can probably assume this one may end up getting a bit tasty – a showdown between Cian Healy and Hartley is probably worth the admission money itself.  But it’s important that all the drama and off-the-ball antics don't detract from the quality of rugby these two sides are capable of playing.  The hosts, Northampton, appear to have found the missing ingredients to turn them into 'nearly' men into winners.  The emergence of Sam Dickinson and Luther Burrell and the resurgence of Courtney Lawes and Lee Dickson have been key factors behind their impressive domestic form, and it's interesting to note that their best performers haven't been their 3 high profile signings that they made over the summer – although their arrival undoubtedly lifted everyone at the club.  Of key importance will be Luther Burrell.  The Irish side's defence around the fringes is notoriously physical and even Saints might have problems making yards there, but Gordon D'Arcy and Ian Madigan are not the biggest defenders in the world and that is a channel Northampton will need to target.

For the visitors, life on the domestic front has been pretty decent, although performances in narrow wins against the Dragons and Treviso will have given cause for concern.  But everybody knows that the Heineken Cup is their real target, and the big boys are back in force for this one.  Brian O'Driscoll and Luke Fitzgerald return to the fold in an experienced and talented back division, but they will be of little lose unless the men in blue can secure good quality set-piece ball, as well as disrupt Northampton's.  The giant Devon Toner has a real job to do there and if he can get into Hartley's head early on, his backs good thrive.  Watch out for the fast and powerful carrying backrow trucking up round the corner of the breakdown as well.

The Millennium Stadium is again the target for these two sides, but that will have to wait for now – and Franklins Gardens is the perfect setting for the war of the weekend. 

 

Northampton Saints Team News

Northampton Saints boss Jim Mallinder has made four changes to his team for Saturday's Heineken Cup encounter with Leinster.  James Wilson returns to the side at full-back, with George North coming onto the wing after the completion of his commitments with Wales.  Up front Courtney Lawes partners Samu Manoa in the second row with Phil Dowson coming in on the flank.

Starting Line up:  15 Wilson, 14 Pisi, 13 Waldouck, 12 Burrell, 11 North, 10 Myler, 9 Dickson, 8 Dickinson, 7 Dowson, 6 Wood, 5 Lawes, 4 Manoa, 3 Ma'afu, 2 Hartley (c), 1 Waller.

Subs: 16 Haywood, 17 Waller, 18 Mercey, 19 Day, 20 Clark, 21 Glynn, 22 Dickson, 23 Elliott.

Key Player

Luther Burrell.  For the reasons I mention above, this guy is huge for Saints.  With Myler playing flatter and Dickson handing him the ball on a plate, it gives a wonderful opportunity for a strong, fast centre such as Burrell to smash into the opposition backline and get the team moving forward off first phase ball.  Along with Leicester, Saints are one of the few sides that has the ability to play 'total rugby', with power play mixed with swift hands and pace out wide, but it's the momentum that makes them so difficult to hold back.  Once they start moving forward, they're bloody hard to stop.  Burrell's job is to start the engine.

 

Leinster Team News

Meanwhile, Brian O'Driscoll will resume his midfield partnership with Gordon D'Arcy for Leinster.  Ian Madigan continues at fly-half alongside Eoin Reddan who is in line to make his 89th Leinster appearance and his 307th career appearance.  Luke Fitzgerald joins the Kearney brothers Dave and Rob in the back three.

Jamie Heaslip leads the team and the Naas man is named in the back-row alongside Sean O'Brien and Rhys Ruddock who will win his 69th Leinster cap in Northampton.  Devin Toner returns to the second row after his involvement with Ireland over the recent international series and will partner Mike McCarthy, with Cian Healy, Sean Cronin and Mike Ross - who now lies six appearances shy of the century mark for Leinster - completing the pack.

Starting Line up:  15 Kearney, 14 Kearney, 13 O'Driscoll, 12 D'Arcy, 11 Fitzgerald, 10 Madigan, 9 Reddan, 8 Heaslip (c), 7 O'Brien, 6 Ruddock, 5 McCarthy, 4 Toner, 3 Ross, 2 Cronin, 1 Healy.

Subs: 16 Dundon, 17 McGrath, 18 Moore, 19 Cullen, 20 Jennings, 21 Boss, 22 Gopperth, 23 Kirchner.

Key Player

Ian Madigan.  The talented fly half has been adopting to life as first choice playmaker pretty well, but his game management skills are still developing.  He may be a talented runner and a crisp distributor of the ball, as well as having a howitzer boot, but it's his ability to play the territory game with utter precision that will need to be in top gear to give his side a foothold.  An accurate kick to touch can stop the hosts' momentum and put the pressure back on the Saints set piece – and any mistakes there will be pounced on by this backline.

 

Key Battle

Sam Dickinson v Jamie Heaslip.  Dickinson has been a revelation for Saints this year since recovering for a bad elbow injury last season, and his powerful and dynamic carries off the base of the scrum and off the shoulder of Dickson are a big reason behind the success his side has enjoyed in the early stages of the Premiership.  But he's up against one of the most athletic number 8s in the northern hemisphere in Heaslip, a man who has made his name in doing exactly what Dickinson does but for longer and at the highest level.  Whoever comes out on top in this brutal battle for yardage between the two number 8s will go a long way towards setting his side on the path to victory.

 

Prediction

If Saints can control the emotion and aggression early on, as the desire for revenge seeps into every pore of their bodies, Franklins Gardens will be an awfully tough castle to conquer, even for the 3-time European Champions.  This has all the makings of being an absolute cracker and I can guarantee there will be some sore bodies on Sunday morning…but I think it will be the Dubliners who will be feeling it more.  Saints by 6.

 

What else is happening in the Heineken Cup this weekend?

Cardiff Blues v Glasgow Warriors:  Glasgow are still looking like a talented side despite a recent slump in form, but home advantage should make the difference for the Blues.  Blues by 4.

Castres v Ospreys:  The French champions are not in great form domestically but are still a prospect at home.  Ospreys may struggle.  Castres by 10.

Clermont Auvergne v Scarlets:  Apparently Clermont haven't lost at home for 237 years or something, so that bodes well for them.  Clermont by 18.

Exeter Chiefs v Toulon:  Another massive fixture which could go either way, given how badly French clubs are travelling at the moment.  Toulon should just have too much class though.  Toulon by 3.

Zebre v Saracens:  Sarries should be aiming for a bonus point against the plucky but limited Italian minnows.  Sarries by 20.

Racing Metro v Harlequins:  A tough place to go for Quins but they can take encouragement from their last performance at Clermont.  Racing are too good at home though.  Racing by 7.

Ulster v Benetton Treviso:  Treviso are a very decent side but not many sides come away with anything at Ravenhill.  Ulster by 18.

Munster v Perpignan:  The two old forces of Europe go head to head in a contest that the Limerick side should win.  Munster by 5.

Edinburgh v Gloucester Rugby:  Gloucester can’t seem to win for love nor money at the moment and I suspect that the Scottish side are licking their lips at the prospect of playing them.  Edinburgh by 5.

Leicester Tigers v Montpellier:  In another showdown between two heavyweights, Leicester will be relying on home advantage to mask their terrible injury problems.  It should work.  Just.  Tigers by 8.

Toulouse v Connacht:  The French powerhouses may not be the force they once were but not many sides pick up a win in their back yard.  Toulouse by 16.