Northampton Saints - Thoughts from the Chron

By Chris Gleadell
October 20 2006

So maybe a defeat by the Tigers on Saturday but in some areas a step forward from the abject display we saw against Worcester a fortnight ago.

Though, mostly due to injuries, we are still not firing on all cylinders in the backs the forwards fought fire with fire and almost provided the platform for the win. The defence stood firm and when Tigers did get a clear cut chance that remarkable stop by Ben Cohen, who had a superb game on Saturday, held them at bay.

 

The obvious talking point though was again our kicking being way off beam, something that possibly cost us the result at the end of the day. One of the Sunday papers suggested the Saints are not good enough to go into games without a recognised kicker, that’s maybe stating the obvious, what team can, but if you swapped our accuracy with Leicester’s on Saturday you realise just how easily this game could, and should, have been won.

 

That’s taking nothing away from the lad’s physical effort and the spectacle though. I’ve always thought that come the East Midlands derby you can tear up that form book as the outcome often defies what is expected. Again it was another no quarter asked, no quarter given game and despite the end result I quite enjoyed the afternoon’s entertainment. It wasn’t pretty, nor at times technically brilliant, but as a friend commented at the final whistle at least we saw an old fashioned ‘proper’ game of rugby. We now need to keep that fire burning for the trip southwards on Sunday.

 

And so we move onto what is one of the most eagerly awaited weekends of the season with the Heineken Cup trip to play a French Top14 side. For the third time it is off down to the Basque country for our opening Pool 6 game again Biarritz Olympique Pays Basque and going on the previous two outings a good weekend is in prospect.

 

Well over a thousand Saints supporters are expected to make the trip and by the time you read this the forward parties will already be in the Cote Basque sampling the local hospitality. For some of us lucky ones it’s a flight direct to Biarritz but as always the intrepid Saint finds their way to the game with supporters heading in via Pau, Bilbao, Bordeaux or even opting to travel the whole journey door to door by train.

 

With such a large presence in the town, no doubt in holiday mood, there is always somewhat of a party atmosphere. Whilst I know most of you will only be going for the rugby, the art galleries and museums there’s a fair chance you might bump into the odd Saints supporter in the many bars dotted around. Ex French international prop Pascal Ondarts bar ‘La Caritz’ will again probably be the centre of life for a fair few this weekend. Situated in the old port (vieux port) area located between the towns two main beaches overlooking a small cove La Caritz has gone somewhat upmarket from the small waterfront bar we first visited in 2000 but its location and views over the Atlantic from the terrace still makes it a good base to eat and drink. On our last visit in 2002 the post match overflow from Pascal’s spread up into several other small bars on the Rue de Vieux Port and a good night was had by all.

 

At the time of writing the weather is hanging in the balance but temperatures in the high 70’s, low 80’s are expected so pack those shorts, take no chances though, something to keep the rain off can also come in handy as the weather coming off the Bay of Biscay this time of year can change at the drop of a hat.

 

With all this planned joviality and weather forecasting I almost forgot the main reason for our trip to Biarritz , the game between BOPB and the Saints. It is a shame that the powers that be decided to make an example of Carlos as not only do we need him for the cause but the Biarrots were also looking forward to seeing him play. It is not only Carlos’s fame that proceeds him though. Some of the talk on the BOPB supporters website this week is the impact a certain Mr Tupai has made on our game. As always these things lose slightly in translation but one Biarritz supporter described Paul thus “Northampton has many wounds behind the scrum, I think that they will slow down the ball with the seizure and be aggressive in the faces. Biarritz must be disciplined because I think that Northampton will want to play disordered brawlers. To be wary their 6, Paul Tupai [ Samoa ] - he had 3 yellow cards in 4 plays. He is hot headed and can distribute sorrows.”

 

Now not quite the big Samoan we know but I think they get the message that we’re not about to be bullied by anyone and with Imanol Harinordiquy missing out this weekend the poster was worried we might have somewhat of an edge on them. So that’s only Mr Betsen and Lievremont to sort out then eh Toops?

 

Of course it is one big ask to get something from this game however Biarritz have injury worries too and the pressure is all on them to perform. Knowing that they have to come to Northampton in darkest deepest January, where incidentally they have lost twice before, a home win is vital to them. With two of the competitions weaker teams also in the group a runners up spot is also within reach but slip up at home and that quarter final place already starts to look precarious. Given that Biarritz are also having problems scoring points this season, there average is only one point better than Saints, its not outside the realms of possibility that we can hang onto their coat tails and at least get a point from the game.

A little bit of that dogged Agen and Narbonne spirit might just see us through.

 

And finally the BOPB supporter mentioned above described Northampton as “The authentic town of rugby and their supporters celebrate the true values of the game.” What a nice chap eh? If I can find him I’ll buy him a beer, that’s if I can get away from that art gallery.

See you there, you lucky people!