Northampton v London Welsh Preview
By Mark W-J
November 21 2012
The stop-start nature of the Premiership season makes it difficult to sustain any momentum, and London Welsh could have done without a two-week break as we look to build on the win over Bath in round eight. On Saturday we visit Northampton, for whom the LV=Cup provided a semi-welcome distraction, as last week’s win over the Dragons brought a four-match losing streak in all competitions to an end.
Northampton began the current campaign with five consecutive wins, finding themselves at the top of the table at the end of September. But a crushing defeat at the Madejski to a London Irish side who won only once in the opening month and conceded over 35 points in each of their four defeats brought a devastating reality-check for the Saints. Further defeats at home to Saracens (6-16) and at Leicester (16-12) in the last two-week Premiership window have seen them drop to fifth in the table, a single point behind Gloucester with leaders Harlequins, who visit Franklin’s Gardens the week before Christmas, just one bonus-point win ahead. Saracens’ win at the Gardens was only the second time that they have tasted defeat at the Gardens in 2012, and they collected 40 of their 65 points at home last season. Home form counts for a lot in the Premiership - this season only Exeter are unbeaten at home after eight rounds, with ten teams having played four home matches; Welsh have played five times at the Kassam and Saracens on only three occasions at their various homes. It’s no coincidence that the bottom three clubs in the table are the three sides who have lost more than one of their home matches, while the top five are those who have won more than once on their travels.
Former LW player Paul Doran Jones at Saints
after two seasons with Gloucester
While we are meeting some clubs for the first time in league rugby this season, we’ve crossed swords with the Saints on four previous occasions, most recently during their sabbatical in 2007-08. Our first league meeting came on 2nd January 1988, when we won 16-14 at Franklin’s Gardens in Courage Two, as Saints finished bottom of the table in the inaugural season of league rugby, only to be saved by a last-minute decision to suspend relegation from Division Two. Twelve months later it was Welsh who finished bottom, with Northampton hammering the final nail into the coffin with a 22-0 win at ODP on the final day of the league season. Our very first meeting was at Tufnell Park on 2nd November 1895, one of the ‘new’ London Welsh club’s first matches after the club had been disbanded at the end of the 1893-94 season, while our first visit to Northampton for the return fixture on 7th March 1896 attracted a crowd of over 5,000 to Franklin’s Gardens who were treated to a rousing display from the home side, as Welsh were crushed by 38 points. Our last visit was on the opening day of the 2007-08 season, when we held our hosts to a 15-11 margin at half-time, only for their professionalism to tell in the second half as they ran out comfortable 44-11 winners, with Simon Emms scoring the fifth of their six tries. The return encounter brought back memories of arguably the best day ODP has seen in the professional era - the Tetley Bitter Cup 6th Round clash on 26th February 2000. Although we lost 35-26 we won many friends; the plaudits flowed like the blood from Buster White’s nose, and the Northampton players had to be dragged from the clubhouse to board the coach home. The Exiles’ class of 2008 were unable to repeat the heroics, going down 22-10 as Saints returned a perfect record of 30 wins from 30 league matches en route to promotion back to the Premiership. Jon Mills scored his first try for Welsh that afternoon, while the loosehead props were Paul Doran Jones, now a Saint, and Tom Smith, who began his distinguished career playing mini-rugby at London Welsh.
When the fixture lists are announced, seasoned Premiership watchers look to see who their team will be playing during the international windows, in the hope of springing a surprise result against under-strength opposition. There is only one Northampton player in the England squad for Twickenham on Saturday - flanker Tom Wood - while three others who would usually be considered certainties for national service - Ben Foden, Dylan Hartley and Courtney Lawes - have been ruled out by injury. Foden hasn’t played since damaging ankle ligaments against Bath in week three, but he’s rumoured to be pencilled-in to play a part on Saturday, a good two weeks ahead of schedule. Meanwhile Tonga’s team for their test against Scotland doesn’t include either of the Tonga’uiha brothers, so there’s a possibility that they could face one another for the first time in a competitive fixture in England.
Soane Tonga'uiha may face his 'little' brother
this weekend
Earlier this week, Paul Grayson stepped-down as Assistant Coach at Franklin’s Gardens, bringing to an end a 19-year association with the club. He is the club’s all-time leading points scorer with 2,784 from 259 appearances, while he also notched 400 points in 32 appearances for England, putting him second on the all-time list behind Jonny Wilkinson; he was also a member of the World Cup squads in 1999 and 2003 as well as a British Lion in South Africa in 1997. While the official line is that he’s leaving ‘by mutual consent’ to spend more time with his young family, the farewell from Chairman Leon Barwell (“this is a professional sport, and tough decisions are sometimes taken which we just have to get on and make the best of”) suggested that Grayson has paid the price for not getting the best out of the Saints backline. They have scored 16 tries in eight league games this season, which is twice as many as Saracens and three more than Welsh, but ten fewer than Harlequins, but with Chris Ashton having defected to Saracens under acrimonious circumstances and Ben Foden already having missed a large chunk of the season it does appear that he’s been made a scapegoat for the mercurial performances of his fly-half, Ryan Lamb. Lamb is very much like Nicky Robinson, who Cardiff fans grew so frustrated by: a ‘Marmite’ player whom you either love or hate. On a good day, he is a sublime footballer with all of the tricks in his armoury, but on a bad day he seems capable of bringing his own team down single-handedly. That’s probably put the seal on which Ryan Lamb we’ll see on Saturday…
Great Scott!
Nick's interception try for the win against Bath
From a Welsh perspective, a win on Saturday is improbable rather than impossible, and Saints aren’t going to take us lightly after Bath paid the price for doing exactly that at the Kassam three weeks ago. We really need Gloucester to do us a favour when they entertain Sale - the Sharks finally picked-up a win at home to Irish last time out, and their last away win came at Kingsholm in April - while looking for Exeter, who have won four from four at home and lost four from four on the road, to get a win at the Madejski. Our win over Bath has shown people that we’re not going to panic when other results around us don’t go our way, but the small squad and lack of Academy has been brought into sharp focus in the last fortnight when we’ve been unable to rest as many front-line players for LV=Cup duty as we might otherwise have liked. Nobody ever said it would be easy, but an afternoon at Franklin’s Gardens - in a proper rugby ground filled with proper rugby supporters - makes it all worthwhile.
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Referee: David Rose
Assistant referees: Peter Huckle, Nigel Carrick
Timekeeper (4th Official) Mike Hamlin
Assessor: Stephen Leyshon
Now about the singing. Will you lot be singing? In Welsh?
Hymns and Arias?
Land of My Fathers?
Dread of Devon?
There's lovely (and other stereotypes!)
Hope you all have great day and enjoyable match at FG. See y'all there!
Quote:Stockers
Well writ Sir and certainly brought some memories flooding back. Not that I was at FG in 1896 mind!
...but only because you were still living in Scotland then, Stockers
Great article, Mark and looking forward to seeing y'all on Saturday, having just about thawed out from that match at ODP in our 'sabbatical' year now, too!
Quote:St Dormouse
A very good read Mark. As you say very different to mine, whereas yours is well researched and informative I try to cover my lack of knowledge and skill by waffling!! Hope you are sending a decent crowd up to the Gardens and have a safe and (not too) enjoyable trip
isn't it nice to have a dialogue with a clubs supporters who are neither looking to score petty points at every opportunity nor starting arguments over their slightly extreme views on relegation from the AP?
Not mentioning any names but you know who I mean I'm sure
Have a good trip guys.
What ever the outcome on Saturday i'm sure it will be an experience to savour.
It has been said on another posting that i know flip all (there was another word used to describe my complete lack of knowledge of this game i truly love and support) anyway whether i know flip all or what ever about this great game, one thing is definite, i am a true supporter of the game first and foremost and a LONDON WELSH supporter for over 40 years. So if we are going to be amongst true rugby fans let the game begin. "C'MON YOU WELSH" PADDYTAF.
"GIVE THEM NO BALL OR BAD BALL WELSH"
Looking forward to seeing some of you at our our place. Sorry about the silly KO time .
.
Just hope I get the chance to visit FG next season !
Replacements: 16. Greg Bateman, 17. Tom Bristow, 18. James Tideswell, 19. Matt Corker, 20. Alfie To’oala*, 21. Jamie Stephenson, 22. Alex Davies, 23. Seb Jewell.
15 Tom MAY
14 Ken PISI
13 Dom WALDOUCK
12 Luther BURRELL
11 Jamie ELLIOTT
10 Ryan LAMB
9 Martin ROBERTS
1 Soane TONGA'UIHA
2 Mike HAYWOOD
3 Brian MUJATI
4 Samu MANOA
5 Courtney LAWES
6 Calum CLARK (capt)
7 Phil DOWSON
8 GJ VAN VELZE
Replacements
16 Ross MCMILLAN
17 Alex WALLER
18 Paul DORAN JONES
19 Mark SORENSON
20 Rhys OAKLEY
21 Alex DAY
22 Stephen MYLER
23 Vasily ARTEMYEV
Quote:Mark W-J
Has Gav been called up by Gatland, or are we expecting a late reshuffle caused by an injury sustained on the morning of the match...?
He probably bought W v NZ tickets before he signed the LW contract.
Stronger defensively that other permutations and with ball carrying options. My only question is over the absence of an out and out 7.
Quote:DanFW3
I like Northampton, it's a nice town
Are you thinking of the same Northampton I was born in?
Are line up is also strong, but where's GAV? "C'MON YOU WELSH" PADDYTAF.
"GIVE THEM NO BALL OR BAD BALL WELSH"
Quote:Crug Mawr
I am happy with the selection, which I am sure gives Lyn a great deal of comfort.
Stronger defensively that other permutations and with ball carrying options. My only question is over the absence of an out and out 7.
Assuming no further changes, Jackson at 7 to give more bulk against a powerful Saints pack?
I'm sure that Lyn puts up a provisional team list and then looks on here for our reaction - a good example is the Bath game. He saw our concerns over the choices, especially in the centre and front row, so made wholesale changes to the line-up and got a win. I think that we can all take credit for those four league points.
(
obligatory smiley for clarification)Interested to see how we approach the breakdown with arguably 3 X 8 playing in the back row and another 8 on the bench.
Two venerable old clubs going hammer and tongue to win what a prospect and sadly a family do with Ma in law 3 line whip
mean I will be absent in body but there in spirit (mostly gin) Safe travels to all visitors and enjoy!Top of the League 2014-2015 Season
Quote:Mark W-J
Has Gav been called up by Gatland, or are we expecting a late reshuffle caused by an injury sustained on the morning of the match...?
Didn't he go off with what looked like a wrist injury last game ? Mind you we have been know to change the line up at the off !
walk to Franklin Gardens) is a Rugby Pub,we shall be opening at 10.00
on Saturday, the kitchen will be open so we can feed you and water you
we will need a flag form your team to add to our collection too, so
the person that hands a London Welsh flag will get two free pints,
plus the International Rugby will be on all our screens
Yes, shandy, I do like Northampton though I don't have to live there (though it's about the only place I could afford to move to) and it is a good fast train to London so escape's always possible. Walk up the hill into town and isn't that a fine set of buildings. Some modern housing and some old, and a pleasant county cricket ground. What more could you want? I gather the rugby club is OK too.
I like the caption in the photo about a Saints forward and Tyson Keats battling for the ball - the Saints player seems more intent on blocking the latter's access to it. To quote the man sitting behind me who was fixated b the ref needing to yellow card every Welsh player from start to finish "Surely that's out of order, ref"
I did not mention in my previous post a moment - or rather 30 seconds - which to me encapsulated the Welsh forward play. It happened ten to fifteen yards in right opposite me just on the posts side of the 22-line. A single Welsh forward - possibly Kiril - was holding off 7 or 8 forwards; doing this on a muddy pitch was awesome. One could ask where the others were, but the point is that like Horatius he held the bridge (I've come over all classical today). Heroic, goodness knows how many stone he was holding back. Lyn has recruited some awesome forwards!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012:11:24:21:06:53 by DanFW3.
Very strong pack today and the penalty try we were awarded was testament to the strength of that unit.
Montanella's yellow was for bringing down a maul although there was what looked like a punch to his head after the decision was made yet sir did not take action.
Given the conditions handling errors were predictable and a kicking game from 10 by both sides was inevitable when the ball went beyond the forwards.
Aside from the pack Keats is a good 9 and taking the right options, Hudson looked back to form today and I think in Arscott we have an excellent signing. Hardly right to pick out individuals as I don't wish to disparage others, but given my trepidation before today I was very impressed with the performance.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012:11:24:21:13:31 by Crug Mawr.
Just need a slight edging up of sharpness in attack in the three quarters.
Fantastic. Must beat LI next weekend, and weare certainly capable of doing it!
Jeff
"GIVE THEM NO BALL OR BAD BALL WELSH"
Thought the lads put in a great performance again, with a little bit of help from the conditions, and we never looked out of it. Must admit I'm not much of a fan of this kicking from half way, think it shows a lack of confidence, in our set piece play,
However a LBP against Northampton, I would have taken that before the start of the game.
Does indeed look promising against Irish, especially if the Cheifs can get a result tomorrow/later today.
But might not give you a radioactive glow.