At the start of the season our ambition was summed up in one word – promotion. Today we have an opportunity to realise that. Standing in our way however are our main rivals, Exeter Chiefs, who have been piling the pressure on us throughout the campaign.
Over the past few seasons the Chiefs have put in place an infrastructure and a team ready for Premiership rugby. They were the only side to beat Harlequins two seasons ago and were competitive last year as well. In this campaign they have matched us match for match in the league and in the National Trophy and we will meet them at Twickenham on April 12th.
That is getting ahead of ourselves. As always, the next 80 minutes are the only ones that matter. Today’s match is pivotal for both clubs. For us it is a chance to win a place back in the Premiership for next season. For the Chiefs a win is essential to keep the chase for the league going for another few weeks. This is massive motivation, so expect a committed and physical performance from them.
Exeter have a big and well drilled pack whose set piece play is excellent. They put us under real pressure when we met at Sandy Park in November. But the are far from being a one-dimensional team. Wings Jason Luff and Josh Drauniniu are prolific and are snapping at the heels of Bruce Reihana and Chris Ashton at the top of the try-scoring table.
Pete Drewett is an experienced coach and will come to the Gardens today with a game plan he believes will beat us. So it is up to us to soak up everything they have to throw at us, play our own game and take the points when they are on offer. It will be a tight game in which the win is all-important – a bit like a cup final in fact!
All of the coaches and players want to bring success to the Saints. But success only happens one match at a time. Yes, we are in a cup final, and we will enjoy that when it comes. Before then we have a job to do.
I hope you enjoy the afternoon.
The game will have special meaning for one of our players today. When he leads the team out Bruce will be making his 150th appearance for the Saints. I had no qualms in appointing him as captain last summer and he has led by example both on and off the field.
He is a tremendous ambassador for Northampton Saints and deserves all the applause you give him.
Congratulations too to Joe Gray, James Cannon and John Brake, who all played in England Under-20’s Grand Slam campaign. Joe started all five games, including in front of a hostile capacity 20,000 crowd in Grenoble. This kind of experience is vital in the development of young players and it is fantastic that three of our lads were part of England’s success.
Finally, can I thank you for your tremendous support last weekend in Plymouth. It was our sixth trip to the south west this season and it looked as if we had the majority of the crowd at the Brickfields! A lot of you have invested a lot of money and time in following the team this season – let me assure you we appreciate it all. It will be fantastic to hear the support of a full Franklin’s Gardens this afternoon.
