Northampton Saints v Wasps Preview

Saints third home game with of the season with Wasps is crucial to the season following last weekends defeat at Saracens. Wasps were tipped by many to do well this term and erase memories of last years horror season. they currently sit 2nd in the table with three wins, one draw and one loss.

Zurich Table


Here are the links to DrunkenWasps.com match reports so far this season:

Falcons 24 Wasps 17
Wasps 38 Bristol 35
Bath 27 Wasps 27
Wasps 51 Sarries 23
London Irish 21 Wasps 31

Wasps were quiet on the transfer market over the summer with just one signing, but that was the world class scrum half Rob Howley. Warren gatland's side are unbeaten since their opening day slip up and pose a real threat to Saints home record.

Team News
Saints
15 NICK BEAL
14 ORIOL RIPOL
13 PETER JORGENSEN
12 JOHN LESLIE (capt)
11 BEN COHEN
10 PAUL GRAYSON
9 MATT DAWSON
1 TOM SMITH
2 STEVE THOMPSON
3 Robbie Morris
4 STEVE WILLIAMS
5 MARK CONNORS
6 ANDREW BLOWERS
7 BUDGE POUNTNEY
8 Mark Soden

Reps from:
Dan Richmond, MATT STEWART, Jon Phillips, Rob Hunter, Grant Seely, Johnny Howard, Mark Tucker, James Brooks and JON SLEIGHTHOLME.

Wasps
1 Craig Dowd
2 Phil Greening
3 Will Green
4 Simon Shaw
5 Richard Birkett
6 Joe Worsley
7 Paul Volley
8 Lawrence Dallaglio
9 Rob Howley
10 Alex King
11 Josh Lewsey
12 Mark Denney
13 Stuart Abbott
14 Shane Roiser
15 Paul Sampson

Replacements

Martyn Wood, Mark Van Gisbergen, Kenny Logan, Ben Gotting, Darren Molloy, Joe Beardshaw, Michael McCarthy


Last Season

Honours were even with both sides recording a home win:
Saints 23 Wasps 10
Annes Wasp Stats
Wasps Game, Fans View
MOTM
Wasps 17 Saints 6
Fans View
MOTM

History
Several ineresting encounters over the last few years. In 1997 Wasps won their last title by beating the Saints at the Gardens.
Three years ago there was the epic Heineken Cup QF when Saints looked down and out but came back to clinch the tie and ultimately the Cup.

Wasps gained their revenge in the Tetleys Bitter Cup at Twickenham after Keith Barwell had been shamelessly set up by Sky TV. There was also the league game at Loftus Road where Saints held out on their line to deny Wasps the victory and the return leg which a second string side made Dallaglios men fight every inch of the way for the three points four days before the aforementioned Tetley Final.

If you're going to the Game...

Keep an eye on the Northampton weather
Weather outlook

Also check out the BBC ground guide it is slightly out of date as Franklins Gardens is now a three sided horseshoe stadium with a 12 600 capacity and the pasties are surely worth more than 7. Other than that it tells you all you need to know!
BBC guide to Franklin’s Gardens

If you can't make it...

There's live commentary on BBC Radio Northampton or live on the Internet via the Official site.
Live audio link

ANNE O’RACKS STATS

Results Summary in the Premiership

Played 19
Wasps Won 11 57.9%
Saints Won 7 36.8%
Drawn 1 5.3%

Team Greats
Biggest Win for Wasps 54 - 12 09 May 2000
Biggest Win for Saints 28 - 15 28 Mar 1992

Player Greats
Wasps top try scorer vs Saints Kenny Logan 4 tries
Wasps top points scorer v Saints Kenny Logan 72 points
Saints top try scorer vs Wasps Nick Beal 2 tries
Saints top points scorer vs Wasps Paul Grayson 113 points



Last Meetings

04 May 2002 Northampton Saints vs London Wasps  6 - 17 Loftus Road
08 Dec 2001 Northampton Saints vs London Wasps 23 - 10 Franklin's
Season: 2000-01
30 Dec 2000 Northampton Saints vs London Wasps 18 - 21 Franklin's
01 Oct 2000 Northampton Saints vs London Wasps 17 - 53 Loftus Rd
Season: 1999-00
09 May 2000 Northampton Saints vs London Wasps 12 - 54 Franklin's
29 Dec 1999 Northampton Saints vs London Wasps 21 - 15 Loftus Rd
Season: 1998-99
13 Apr 1999 Northampton Saints vs London Wasps 24 - 15 Loftus Rd
07 Nov 1998 Northampton Saints vs London Wasps 26 - 21 Franklin's
Season: 1997-98
26 Apr 1998 Northampton Saints vs London Wasps 15 - 31 Loftus Rd
27 Dec 1997 Northampton Saints vs London Wasps 18 - 10 Franklin's
Season: 1996-97
26 Apr 1997 Northampton Saints vs London Wasps 15 - 26 Franklin's
28 Dec 1996 Northampton Saints vs London Wasps 13 - 18 Loftus Rd
Season: 1994-95
22 Apr 1995 Northampton Saints vs London Wasps 19 - 13 Franklin's
29 Oct 1994 Northampton Saints vs London Wasps 21 - 27 Sudbury
Season: 1993-94
23 Apr 1994 Northampton Saints vs London Wasps 11 - 24 Sudbury
04 Dec 1993 Northampton Saints vs London Wasps 15 - 17 Franklin's
Season: 1992-93
27 Mar 1993 Northampton Saints vs London Wasps 12 - 20 Sudbury
Season: 1991-92
28 Mar 1992 Northampton Saints vs London Wasps 28 - 15 Franklin's
Season: 1990-91
23 Mar 1991 Northampton Saints vs London Wasps 21 - 21 Sudbury