Preview: Northampton v Sale
Director of rugby Jim Mallinder is demanding more from his Saints team as it prepares to face Sale at Franklin's Gardens on Saturday.
Jim Mallinder is demanding more from his Northampton team as it prepares to face Sale at Franklin's Gardens.
Saints came home with a bang last week with a five-try win over Wasps. And Mallinder says that they will have to perform even better this week.
“Sale are capable of playing some good rugby,” he said ahead of Saturday's game.
“Their 8,9 and 10 are very strong which is always an important area and they also have two quality wingers in Ben Cohen and Mark Cueto. They have threats all over the field and we need to make sure we are on our game.
“Charlie Hodgson is a very good goal-kicker and he will take any chances he gets. We have to make sure we are not over eager and give away stupid penalties or else we will get punished with field possession or penalty goals.
“There's no way this game will get forgotten. We are determined to finish in the top four. To do that we have to make sure we win our home games and that starts with this Saturday. To take our eyes off the game would be to our detriment.”
Meanwhile, David Seymour, who returned from injury off the bench against Leeds Carnegie last week, makes his first Sale start since October 31.
Rob Miller has recovered from the injury that caused his late withdrawal against London Wasps in March, and takes his place on the replacements bench.
“Over a period of three years, I recruited many of the players who have done so well for Northampton Saints,” said Executive Director of Sport Steve Diamond.
“They may have hit a lean patch earlier this year, but are sure to benefit from the return of their international players, as they showed in the big win against London Wasps last Sunday. I fully expect the Saints to have a strong end to the season, including a good run in the Heineken Cup.”
Form: Sale have won just one of their last seven encounters against the Saints in all competitions: 24-18 at Edgeley Park on 25 April 2009. Northampton Saints have won their last two games against Leeds and Wasps, whilst their 39-3 victory over Wasps on Sunday was their biggest Premiership win for five years. Sale Sharks' ended a six match losing run in all competitions with their 15-12 victory over struggling Leeds on Friday. The Sharks have not won back to back Premiership encounters since November 2009. Sale's only away win in Aviva Premiership Rugby this season was 6-3 at Leeds in round six.
The teams:
Northampton: 15 Ben Foden, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Jon Clarke, 12 James Downey, 11 Paul Diggin, 10 Stephen Myler, 9 Lee Dickson, 8 Roger Wilson, 7 Tom Wood, 6 Calum Clark, 5 Christian Day, 4 Courtney Lawes, 3 Brian Mujati, 2 Dylan Hartley (capt), 1 Soane Tonga'uiha.
Replacements: 16 Brett Sharman, 17 Alex Waller, 18 Tom Mercey, 19 Mark Sorenson, 20 Phil Dowson, 21 Stuart Commins, 22 Shane Geraghty, 23 Bruce Reihana.
Sale: 15 Nick Macleod, 14 Ben Cohen, 13 Chris Bell, 12 Kyle Tonetti, 11 Mark Cueto (capt), 10 Charlie Hodgson, 9 Dwayne Peel, 8 Sisaro Koyamaibole, 7 David Seymour, 6 James Gaskell, 5 Wame Lewaravu, 4 Chris Jones, 3 Henry Thomas, 2 Neil Briggs, 1 Lee Imiolek.
Replacements: 16 Marc Jones, 17 Eifion Roberts, 18 Jack Forster, 19 Nic Rouse, 20 Neil McMillan, 21 Will Cliff, 22 Rob Miller, 23 Iain Thornley.
Date: Saturday, April 2
Kick-off: 14:30 (15:30 GMT)
Venue: Franklin's Gardens
Referee: Martin Rose
Assistant referees: Stuart Terheege, Alan Hughes
Coach: Clive Leeke
Timekeeper: Brian Abrahams
Television match official: Graham Hughes