Saints eyeing to cement place in top four against Sharks
Northampton Saints will take on the Sale Sharks at Franklin Gardens tomorrow as both times played with each for the 26th time.
While Saints are slightly ahead from Sharks on the winning ratio, Sharks if fire their all cylinders are capable of overcoming the Northampton Saints Challenge. However, Sale Sharks were able to dominate the Saints only once in their last seven encounters.
Northampton Saints are coming after winning their previous two encounters in the premiership. They have defeated Leeds 23 – 13 and versus Wasps they won with 39 to 3. Their Victory against the Wasps is their biggest win in past five years in any Premiership
game.
Sale Sharks’ on the other hand had a poor premiership time and have recently ended their six-match losing run courtesy of their 15-12 victory over Leeds.
However, Sale Sharks have not been able to secure win in two consecutive games in Premiership since November 2009. Adding to their worries is the fact that their only away win this season came against the Leeds and that too during early phases of premiership.
Northampton Saints are currently placed 4th on the Aviva Premiership Rugby table and would be looking forward for a win. Northampton Saints will start as the favourites when they take the field against the Sharks. Saints earlier in the tournament
have already defeated Sharks by 19 – 10.
Sharks will be looking forward for a win to have some sort of chance to make it to the top four at the end of round matches and they certainly have the players to do so. However unfortunate it may be Sharks have not delivered up to their potential.
Saints are wary of the fact the kind of challenge Sharks can provide. Mallinder, head of Northampton Saints is critical of Sharks capabilities.
He said, “Their 8, 9 and 10 are very strong which is always an important area and they also have two quality wingers in Ben Cohen and Mark Cueto. They have threats all over the field and we need to make sure we are on our game.”
For Sale Sharks, it is the right time to see the return of David Seymour and Rob Miller from injury to strengthen their side. Sharks are a very capable unit and they have shown the glimpses of their capabilities during their last game against the Wasps.
Sharks need to consistently play full 80 minutes of error free rugby to give themselves chances to stay alive in the premiership, particularly as a win for Sharks at Franklin's Gardens is hard to come buy with their last win here coming way back in 2006.
With record favouring Northampton Saints, Saints look like the team to triumph and is expected to win the game alongside score a bonus point to ensure their place in top four.
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