Crunch time! Toulouse Le Trek II

Can we do the double…?

After a terrific 80+ minutes last Saturday, we cannot help but notice a win from the former Heineken Cup winners, Toulouse, would put us back where we were before we played them last week, hoping for a best runners-up spot to make the last eight in the competition. A win is vital if we want to stay in the driving seat.

As for last Saturday, Wooooooh! What a match!

What a great display from both teams, especially Saints. With their enthusiasm, commitment, and trust in their own ability, it was as though they were a proper team again. They all played with their hearts on their shirts and played for each other. I think the crowd helped too. The backing from the twelve thousand supporters in the stadium was fantastic. Give yourself a big pat on the back! I just hope we will get that every week when we get back to the nitty gritty of the Premiership because the atmosphere was amazing. I want as much as all of you to experience that feeling every time we are at home.

Bottom of league we may be, but that doesn’t sound so bad after beating one of the toughest teams in European club rugby. Which mean things can only get better. It may have taken Budge and Larry a couple of weeks to settle in but it has paid off. Making improvements against Newcastle a fortnight ago, which was their first game in the hot seat paved the way for the 23-21 victory over Toulouse. It was one of those, “you had to be there”, games. It was just a bit special.

I am really chuffed with how our Saints have improved. I just hope they can carry this form into the ZP when we get back to the league at Christmas. If we play like we did last weekend when we return to league action then I can say we shouldn’t have to worry about relegation

So, let’s look forward to this week. We face the mighty Toulouse in a massive match. With tremendous support in prospect from both sets of fans, it is simply down to what our lads do down on the pitch if we are to get a result. Winning at Franklin’s Gardens has been hard enough but, having to face one of the strongest sides in Europe down in the heart of French rugby, Stade Toulousian, has to be one of the biggest challenges any club has faced.

All in all it should be a great day, win or lose but, I for one, hope that Northampton reign supreme come full time. With a partisan support Toulouse will have the upper hand, of course. However, we went to Agen and won. Why can’t we do it again?

I hope both players and supporters give it their all on Saturday. Good luck and give them a shout from me! COME ON YOU SAINTS!!!

On Wednesday, Budge gave us the following team:

15 Bruce Reihana
14 Wylie Human
13 Ben Cohen
12 Marc Stcherbina
11 Jon Clarke
10 Paul Grayson
9 Mark Robinson
1 Chris Budgen
2 Steve Thompson (Capt)
3 Robbie Morris
4 Matt Lord
5 Damien Browne
6 Corne Krige
7 Andrew Blowers
8 Mark Soden

Replacements; Dan Richmond, Brett Sturgess, Ed O’Donoghue, Grant Seely, Johnny Howard, Shane Drahm, Andy Vilk.

No real surprises with the return to fitness of Bruce although John Rudd is unfortunate to miss out altogether after last week’s performance. There were concerns earlier this week of the fitness of Chris Budgen and Mark Robinson but it seems they have come through the fitness tests safely.

 Interestingly, only six players in this XV survive from the starting line-up named for Le Trek I. Bruce, Ben, Larry, Wally, Lordy and AB are all that remain from the side that travelled in April 2003. Oh, and a certain Mr A Pountney.  Now, I wonder what happened to him?

 Once again, Saints will be huge underdogs to repeat their heroics of Saturday. If the Toulousain aristocrats decide fire on all cylinders they will be mighty difficult to contain. However, many of their players have suffered recent mauling at the hands of Argentina and the All Blacks whilst representing their country and coach Guy Noves was probably not the best company last Saturday night. Perhaps there is a little chink in their armour if we can start “Hats on Wheels” style and take to game to them.

 For those that are travelling, have fun and shout the house down. Anyone returning with any semblance of a voice after the weekend will be refused entry back into the country. For those of us who remain in Blighty, coverage of the game is on Sky Sports – kick-off 3pm (UK).

My prediction (Air Ben)

 After a terrific performance last week, I have got to say away at Toulouse this weekend will be tough. But I’m going go for Saints to win by 1 point.

Mav’s prediction

Oh lummy! Much as last week, it’s difficult to look any further than a victory for the home side. But, that was said of Agen and look what happened. Toulouse is a formidable outfit - IF they click. They are, however, just as fallible to errors as an ordinary team if things are not going their way. It’s up to Saints to play “in-yer-face” rugby and make sure they don’t have a chance to settle. Hassle them, contest every ball, and make sure, whatever the result, Toulouse know they have been in one hell of a game. Start well, stay in the game and, most of all, make us proud!