Northampton Saints may have secured a home semi-final in the Gallagher Premiership for the first time in nine years last weekend, but Sam Matavesi insists the men in Black, Gold and Green would love to secure top spot this weekend in the final game of the regular season against Bath.
Two points from this weekend’s contest at the Recreation Ground would secure Saints first place in the Gallagher Premiership for the first time since 2015. However Matavesi is hopeful that his side can pick up all five.
“At the start of the year, a home play-off spot was the goal,” he said. “Our form this year at home has been great, so we are pleased to have our semi-final back at home.
“We have been in a slightly different position this year than we have been in previous years. The last few years we have been in fourth place, whereas this year for a good chunk of the season we have been top of the table so it is a different mindset this year.”
Sam Matavesi
“This weekend is another opportunity to get out there and play against a top team, which is only a good thing. We could secure top spot which is an achievement in itself.
“Bath have been incredible this season with Finn Russell pulling the strings, but the team we’ve put out is a heck of a side so it’s going to be a great contest.
“With there being a few changes in the side this week, it is a massive opportunity for some players to really put their hand up ahead of the semi-final. We want to go down to Bath this weekend and win. In an ideal world we want to win and finish top.
“Personally, and as a team, there are opportunities to play in a home semi-final which is massive.”
Here are your Saints to take on Bath in tomorrow's regular season finale 🛁https://t.co/Ah10HhrMLl pic.twitter.com/EKLf20RaDr
— Northampton Saints 😇 (@SaintsRugby) May 17, 2024
With a top-two spot already secured, Dowson has made a few changes going into the game this weekend, giving players the opportunity to stake their claim ahead of the semi-final clash in a couple of weeks’ time.
Matavesi has been enjoying a great battle with Curtis Langdon this season for the No.2 shirt, and the Fiji hooker believes that competition brings the best out of the whole squad.
He said: “You need that competition for places and we have that throughout the squad. Competition is only positive, and you are coming off the bench for 20-30 minutes, you want to make a big impact.
“Curtis has been outstanding. One of the players of the year at Saints and probably across the whole league.
“For me, when I get any opportunities, I’ve just got to play well even if that is coming off of the bench. There are four hookers in the squad that are all pushing for a starting spot.”
