'Upbeat' Saints seek improvement
Sat, 22 Nov 2008 10:54
Saints Director, Jim Mallinder, says that improvement is needed from his team when they host Premiership leaders Bath at a packed Franklin's Gardens on Saturday.
Bath arrive at the Gardens unbeaten on their domestic travels this season, and Mallinder is well aware that the West Country side will pose a massive threat to the Saints' good home record.
"Bath have played some excellent rugby this season and are rightly top of the table," he said.
"Steve Meehan has developed an athletic and dynamic team that is comfortable keeping the ball alive and always looks to create opportunities. His players are also well conditioned, which was shown when they scored in the last minute against Leicester last weekend. It is understandable if they are approaching tomorrow's game in confident mood.
"But our squad are looking forward to the game as well. They have been working extremely hard during training this week. The mood has been upbeat and everyone is determined to put last Sunday's disappointment behind them."
The Northampton public have reacted by making this the first Franklin's Gardens sell-out of the campaign so far and Mallinder says that this support is very much appreciated by the players.
"All season the support at Franklin's Gardens has been excellent," he added. "The passionate and intense atmosphere in the stadium created by the fans has been a major factor in our good home record and everyone is delighted that the ground has sold out for such an important game."
Northampton Saints: 15 Stephen Myler, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Chris Mayor, 12 James Downey, 11 Bruce Reihana (captain), 10 Carlos Spencer, 9 Ben Foden, 8 Roger Wilson, 7 Mark Easter, 6 Mark Hopley, 5 Juandre Kruger, 4 Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe, 3 Barry Stewart, 2 Joe Gray, 1 Tom Smith.
Replacements: 16 Paul Shields, 17 Soane Tonga'uiha, 18 Christian Day, 19 Ben Lewitt, 20 Lee Dickson, 21 Nils
Mordt, 22 Paul Diggin.
Date: Saturday, November 22
Venue: Franklin's Gardens
Kick-off: 13.00 (13.00 GMT)
Referee: David Rose
Touch judges: Robin Goodliffe, Don Helme
TMO: Brian Abrahams
With thanks to guinnesspremiership.com
