Although the National League One season is 30 games long this afternoon’s match is one that both sides have targeted as key in the promotion race.

After six rounds of matches only a single league point separates the Saints from Doncaster at the top of the table. Both sides are undefeated and have collected plenty of bonus points. Sometimes these come in the last minute, as in our last home match against Plymouth. Sometimes they come earlier in the game, as in our trip to Sedgley Park and in the Knights’ last match against Pertemps Bees.

They all have the same value, however, and as the league table is showing bonus points may be crucial come the final positions.

Doncaster’s five try-scoring bonus points show that they have a potent attack, and their defence is also top class having conceded only an average of 18 points so far.

Lynn Howells, their director of rugby, has coached at the highest level, having guided Edinburgh in the Heineken Cup and Magners League. And in Justin Bishop they have an exciting backs coach who only until last season was playing Premiership rugby with London Irish.

Justin has scored four tries so far this season, as has the Knights’ other winger Donovan Van Vuuren, and in Mark Woodrow Doncaster have one of the most consistent kickers in the league.

They will pose us problems all over the field and we will have to be ready from the first whistle.

Last Saturday the support of the travelling supporters was superb. Out of a 1,300 crowd around two-thirds were wearing the black, green and gold and you made Sedgley Park into a home venue for us. As always, thank you.

In Paris this evening there is another crucial match. England have cast aside their critics to reach the World Cup semi-finals where they play France in front of what is sure to be an extremely partisan and passionate crowd.

A month ago England had been written off by commentators and supporters alike. But last Saturday they had a game plan to defeat Australia which they executed superbly and now they are 80 minutes away from a second consecutive World Cup final.

I’m very happy for everyone involved with the national World Cup squad. I also congratulate France as well for their win against the All Blacks, but hope for another good result for Brian Ashton and his men tonight. There is still life in English rugby!

There is a lesson in their campaign here at the Saints. No matter the odds and expectation, every team has the ability to get a good result and we cannot underestimate anybody. We cannot let this happen to us.

Enjoy the game.