No Saintly favours for Mallinder
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:13
Northampton Saints Director of Rugby Jim Mallinder says that nothing should be taken for granted when his team takes on Worcester Warriors in the club's first Guinness Premiership match of the season, at Franklin's Gardens on Sunday.
"Worcester are one of the up and coming teams in England," Mallinder said.
"They finished last season strongly in the Premiership and reached the Challenge Cup Final. Mike Ruddock has also brought in some high quality players [in the off season]. They also have a fantastic record at Franklin's Gardens in recent years, which shouldn't be forgotten.
"We've performed well in pre-season but that will not matter come Sunday. It is a massive challenge that the players and coaches are all excited about and motivated to meet. We have been working hard through the week and will give it our all against the Warriors."
Mallinder has handed six of the new signings their Saints debuts.
Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe and Christian Day partner each other in the second row, Roger Wilson, Neil Best and Scott Gray start in the back row - while England Saxon Lee Dickson wears the No.9 shirt.
Meanwhile out wide the game will see the return of Scotland wing Sean Lamont to Saints colours.
Northampton Saints: 15 Bruce Reihana (captain), 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Jon Clarke, 12 James Downey, 11 Sean Lamont, 10 Carlos Spencer, 9 Lee Dickson, 8 Roger Wilson, 7 Scott Gray, 6 Neil Best, 5 Christian Day, 4 Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe, 3 Euan Murray, 2 Paul Shields, 1 Soane Tonga'uiha.
Replacements: 16 Dylan Hartley, 17 Tom Smith, 18 Alex Rae, 19 Mark Hopley, 20 Ben Foden, 21 Stephen Myler, 22 Joe Ansbro.
Date: Sunday, September 7
Venue: Franklin's Gardens, Northampton
Kick-off: 13.30 (12.30 GMT)
Referee: Sean Davey
Touch judges: Martin Buck, Don Helme
TMOs: Brian Abrahams, Graham Hughes
