News: Expect the Unexpected: Harlequins v Saints
By Wee Jim
September 9 2010
One of the many things I love about the Premiership ( apart from how fair minded it all is) is the unexpected and how the results from round to round include at least one straight from the Spanish Inquisition.
Harlequins v Northampton Saints
The Stoop - September 11th
KO 13:30
From round one this would have to be Exeter Chief's home win against Gloucester and for round two I'm hoping it will be Saints when they travel away to the Stoop to face Harlequins. You might be surprised to think that after a good home win against Tigers to open our Premiership campaign that Saints would travel to the Stoop brimful of confidence in securing a win.
Expectations are always dangerous and can turn around to bite you. To be fair though I dont think Saints will travel with any complacency. The Stoop is something of a bogey ground for us and Saints haven't had a win there since 2004. Indeed the Stoop has been the scene one or two truly awful Saints performances over the past seasons. That may seem a little harsh but I do really think this is one ground, after Kingston Park that Saints need to start winning on. The Kingston Park hoodoo was laid to rest last season so now its time to bury a few fears at the Stoop. It's an important marker that will give the Saints confidence for those end of season matches with so much riding on them.
Why do Saints fair so badly at the Stoop? In the past it might be a degree of complacency or dissent in the ranks, but to be fair to Harlequins quite a few of those losses are were when the Saints were playing in good form. Harlequins have earned this record and are a tough side to beat at home.
The two sides have similar playing styles that cancel each other out allowing for more subtle factors such as home advantage and individual players skill and form to dictate events on the field. The form of key players becomes crucial so Saints will need to manage the threat posed by the likes of Care and the understated talents of Evans.
The Saints pack put in an impressive performance against the Tigers last weekend it is here where they might have the edge. The Harlequins back row have always been good and their front five are steadily improving but if they get sucked into slugging it out in the forwards that could well suit the Saints. Where Harlequins do have an advantage is at fly half where Nick Evans continues to do sterling work and very nearly helped them to a first round win against the Wasps. Saints will have to contain him as I'm sure Conor O'Shea will have noticed that Saints are vulnerable to a ball that is moved swiftly out wide to the wings.
Harlequins on the other hand will have to try to contain Tiny, and it doing so may open up gaps for the likes of Foden and Ashton to exploit. Both DoRs have much to ponder on as they prepare their teams for Sunday. For Saints Id expect a largely unchanged team from last Sunday. Although Murray would be available, Mujati has done nothing to warrant dropping and if Murray were to start it would indicate Jim Mallinder might be pursuing a strategy of more rotation this season. The only real conundrum is who to start at 10 - Myler or Geraghty? Both offer something and I'll leave that debate to the message board. I certainly don't have an answer otherwise Id be a DoR and not an boffin.
I can't predict this result - it could be a close win to either side. I don't expect Saints to win but I'm hoping the Spanish Inquisition smile on us and the unexpected turns up. I wouldn't begrudge Harlequins a win either. They are a club I admire - I like their playing style; bold and adventurous if not always successful. I like the way they respond to adversity. They bounced back from relegation and are quietly building and expanding a fine ground in London. Their response to more recent events was to recruit Conor O'Shea as their DoR - an astute signing that will bode well for them this season. He certainly has the beating of the Saints as we know all too well from THAT final.
There's much to like about Harlequins and that's why I've always adopted them for the Saints with Heart walks and I'm doing so again this season. They have always responded royally and generously and it certainly helps keep stiff limbs going those last couple of miles. Both club and supporters are worthy opposition for Saints and its one of the fixtures I look forward too. I'll close by saying the other thing I like about rugby apart from its unpredictability is that it's a sport you can share and enjoy with other like minded supporters wherever they are from. Safe travelling to the Stoop and bring back a win! Come on you Saints!
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:09:10:11:15:00 by Ian Spokes.
Saint til I die
I will travelling down again, nd hoping again that our team a least turn up this year.
I will be going for what is most likely my only attendance this season, really looking forward to it.
The game's afoot;
Follow your spirit: and upon this charge,
Cry — God for Harry! England and Saint George
Have a safe trip to the Smoke...
The game has all the makings of another cracker.
. Interesting to see that the Saints 10 question has been answered with Geraghty. Could be a running game of rugby.
Sadly I cant make it as I manged to concuss myself in the week. So have a beer or two for me!
Bikequin - thanks for sorting out the shirt maybe it can be posted? I'll cover the costs and it does give the merchandising people a bit more time.
No alcohol for January. I'm a dryathlete in aid of cancer research.
Dryathlon
Quote:our three weapons are surprise, tiny and nobody expects us and surprise.
No No our three weapons are surprise, tiny and nobody expects us and surprise and Bwian.
Oh B@gger!!
our three weapons are surprise, tiny and nobody expects us and surprise and Bwian and surprise.
David L
What if there were no hypothetical questions?
- Live wrong and preposterously