The Saints’ tepid start to the season must be arrested as Franklins Gardens sees the visit of newly crowned champions. If Northampton want to show that they are ready to challenge for the title again this year, they need to put in a performance against the unbeaten Saracens.
The thrashing of a poor Newcastle team aside, Northampton have struggled to show a cutting edge this season and have been well below their best. Much of this is attributable to fatigue of their World Cup stars: the Pisi brothers and Fotuali’i had a very intense and physical campaign whilst the less said about the campaigns of Wood and Lawes the better. On the plus side, George North is fit to return this weekend for his first appearance of the season.
Sarries meanwhile, have worn their crown well and sit top of the table with three wins from three. This doesn’t tell the whole story however, they squeaked past Gloucester with Farrell slotting home a penalty with three minutes to go and were behind against London Irish last week before coming back to secure victory in the second half. Despite this, the quality of Farrell’s kicking will always be a cause for concern for the opposition and he punish any Saints indiscretion. Chris Ashton will feel he has something to prove on this ground and Chris Wyles will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing campaign for the USA.
The Key Battles:
Dylan Hartley v Schalk Brits
When the two sides faced up five months ago Dylan Hartley was Saints skipper and was first choice hooker for his country going into a home World Cup. A lot has changed since then but he still remains a superb rugby player, particularly at the set-piece. In Brits however, he has a formidable opponent. Both sides rely on their line-out and scrum prowess to lay the platform for their back line and whichever man can gain the upper hand will go a long way towards deciding this potential humdinger of a contest.
Luther Burrell v Brad Barritt
Sam Burgess has left Rugby Union and regardless of whether or not you agreed with his omission for the World Cup, Burrell must now be favourite to start at 12 in the 6 Nations. In Brad Barritt, he is facing the most likely competitor for the shirt (Kyle Eastmond may have something to say about this). Barritt, the master of defence, will have to deal with the power, pace and lines of Burrell. If he can chop Burrell down, it will severely limit the Saints midfield that relies on his getting over the gainline to create space for the back three.
Tom Wood v Maro Itoje
Itoje was devastating when Saracens last came to the Gardens and denied Northampton a place in the set piece finale of the season. Wood struggled against Pocock, Hooper and Warburton during the World Cup and is under pressure to prove himself at the breakdown. Northampton must prevent itoje from dominating the ruck area and Wood will need to be at his best to keep him out of the game.
Prediction:
Saracens by 3. Farrell’s flawless place kicking should see Saracens pip Northampton again. The Saints will want to avenge their semi-final defeat last season but they have not shown enough so far to suggest that they can provide the attacking threat to score the points to do so.
Line Ups:
Saints: Foden; Elliott, G Pisi, Burrell, North; Myler, Fotuali’i; A Waller, Hartley, Brookes; Craig, Day; Gibson, Wood (c), Dickinson.
Replacements: Haywood, E Waller, Hill, Paterson, Harrison, Dickson, Hanrahan, Tuala.
Saracens: Goode; Ashton; Taylor; Barritt; Wyles; Farrell, Wigglesworth; M Vunipola, Brits, Du Plessis; Kruis, Hargreaves (c); Itoje, Burger, B Vunipola.
Replacements: George, Barrington, Figallo, Rhodes, Brown, Spencer, Hodgson, Bosch.
