Six Nations - The Saintly Perspective

By Chris G
February 21 2003

Six Northampton Saints play at various levels in this weeks second round of the Six Nations representing three countries, Wales, Scotland and England. After the first round of results the pressure is certainly on the Celtic pair of Tom Smith and Steve Williams.

Tom travels to France on Sunday certain, after last weeks display against Ireland, to make the starting lineup. Scotland were just about played of the park by the boys in green but could face a far sterner test in Paris with the French smarting from their defeat at Twickenham last weekend.

If the Scots dont step up a couple of gears they could well find themselves buried.

Scotland have yet to name their starting lineup but announce the following squad which also contains former Saint Gregor Townsend.

Gordon Bulloch, Bruce Douglas, Stuart Grimes, Gavin Kerr, Martin Leslie, Andrew Mower, Scott Murray, Jon Petrie, Steve Scott, Tom Smith (NORTHAMPTON SAINTS), Simon Taylor, Jason White, Mike Blair, Andy Craig, Brendan Laney, Kenny Logan, Glenn Metcalfe, Chris Paterson, Bryan Redpath, Gordon Ross, Gregor Townsend, Kevin Utterson. UPDATE: See Stop Press below.

To say that the Welsh are up against it is somewhat of an understement. A defeat at the hands of perceived whipping boys Italy has left the team in disarray with tournament favourites England looming large on the horizon.

Steve Williams, despite injury worries, retains his place in a much changed Welsh side that Steve Hansen in a somewhat knee jerk reaction has decimated. The selection of old stager Jon Humphreys at skipper could be the make or break nail in Hansens coaching career. Another try from Big Swill would help but they could, despite 'backlash' rumblings from the English camp be facing a landslide.

Wales:
15 Kevin Morgan, 14 Rhys Williams, 13 Mark Taylor, 12 Tom Shanklin, 11 Gareth Thomas, 10 Ceri Sweeney, 9 Gareth Cooper, 8 Gavin Thomas, 7 Martyn Williams, 6 Dafydd Jones, 5 Steve Williams (NORTHAMPTON SAINTS), 4 Robert Sidoli, 3 Ben Evans, 2 Jonathan Humphreys 1 Iestyn Thomas.

Subs: 16 Gareth Williams, 17 G Jenkins, 18 Gareth Llewellyn, 19 Colin Charvis, 20 Dwayne Peel, 21 Iestyn Harris, 22 Matthew Watkins.

The big news for England from a Saints perspective is the selection of young gun Robbie Morris in the front row. Robbie finally gets a cap after being a bencher for England in the Autumn Internationals and will be hoping to cement his place at the top after a somewhat meteoric rise.

Matt Dawson again misses out through injury but Saints provide two other players to the English starting lineup. Steve Thompson packs down alongside Robbie at hooker while Wales favourite Englishman Ben Cohen starts on the wing. Both could play a major part in a commanding English performance.

Pride will not be enough for the Welsh, expect England, if the referee lets them, to run riot.

England:
15 Jason Robinson, 14 Dan Luger, 13 Will Greenwood, 12 Charlie Hodgson, 11 Ben Cohen (NORTHAMPTON SAINTS) , 10 Jonny Wilkinson, 9 Kyran Bracken, 8 Richard Hill, 7 Neil Back, 6 Lawrence Dallaglio, 5 Ben Kay, 4 Martin Johnson (captain), 3 Robbie Morris (NORTHAMPTON SAINTS), 2 Steve Thompson (NORTHAMPTON SAINTS), 1 Graham Rowntree.

Subs: 16 Mark Regan, 17 Mike Worsley, 18 Danny Grewcock, 19 Joe Worsley, 20 Andy Gomarsall , 21 Phil Christophers, 22 James Simpson-Daniel.

Finally at U-19 age group Ben Russell has recovered from last weeks facial injury and returns at centre to captain the English lads against their Welsh counterparts at Llanelli on Friday evening.

STOP PRESS STOP PRESS STOP PRESS

Scotland have announced the following team:

G Metcalfe (Glasgow); C Paterson (Edinburgh), G Townsend (Borders), K Utterson (Borders), K Logan (Wasps); B Laney (Edinburgh), B Redpath (Sale Sharks, capt). Tom Smith (NORTHAMPTON SAINTS), G Bulloch (Glasgow), B Douglas (Borders), S Murray (Edinburgh), S Grimes (Newcastle), M Leslie (Edinburgh), S Taylor (Edinburgh), A Mower (Newcastle).

Subs: S Scott (Borders), G Kerr (Leeds), J White (Glasgow), J Petrie (Glasgow), M Blair (Edinburgh), G Ross (Leeds), A Craig (Orrell).