Toulon for the taking?
Wed, 08 Oct 2008 20:03
Northampton coach Jim Mallinder says the standard of the European Challenge Cup is right up there with that of the Heineken Cup, and has urged his team to "keep calm" as they prepare for their clash with Toulon at the Stade Felix Mayol.
The Saints find themselves in a tricky group with fellow Guinness Premiership side Bristol, as well as strong French sides Montpellier and obviously, Thursday nights opponents, Tana Umaga’s Toulon.
The Top 14 newcomers will be without many of their star players for the Challenge Cup opener and, with coach Umaga already under pressure following some poor early season results, Mallindar's men may well have a chance to secure an important away win so early in the competition.
The Australian coach though says it would be silly to under-estimate anyone in Europe’s second tier competition.
"The standard of our European pool is extremely high, right up there with the Heineken Cup.
"Like ourselves, Toulon are a very ambitious club and the Challenge Cup is an important competition.
"It will be a massive occasion, so the challenge for us is to keep calm, stick to our game plan and put in plenty of hard work throughout the 80 minutes."
