Jim Mallinder says Northampton will need little motivating when they play Saracens in the semi-finals of the Guinness Premiership.
Northampton boss says players need no motivation for Sarries clash
Northampton director of rugby Jim Mallinder thinks his players will need little in the way of motivation when they play Saracens in the semi-finals of the Guinness Premiership next Sunday.
Mallinder's side set up the home playoff after ending their regular season on Saturday with a convincing 31-7 win over London Irish at the Madejski Stadium.
There is no love lost between Saints and Sarries, who hardly endeared themselves with some over-the-top celebrations in the dressing room following a win at Franklin's Gardens last month.
Mallinder is now hoping that incident can inspire his side as they look for a place in the final against either Leicester or Bath.
"That hurt, hearing them singing as if they'd won the league," said Mallinder, whose team has played Saracens four times this season, twice in the league and twice in the LV= Cup.
"For us, you can take motivation from a lot of things and we're eagerly looking forward to that game now.
"We've had some close games against them this season. They are playing well - and played very well when they came to our place. And they've just won at Welford Road against Leicester today.
"It'll be an almighty battle but we think we have a side to win that game."
Having suffered two straight losses, Northampton bounced back in style against the Exiles, with centre Jon Clarke scoring twice and winger Chris Ashton touching down another.
Fly-half Stephen Myler kicked the rest of the points for Saints, who claimed second place in the table.
"I'm pleased," Mallinder said. "We wanted a professional performance and for large parts of the game, we dominated.
"We were very solid, got some good turnovers, the scrum was good, we were fairly patient, played in the right areas of the field and we know we are a side who can score tries."
It wasn't all plain sailing for Northampton though, with Ben Foden departing in the 67th minute after spraining an ankle that had been troubling him in the build-up to the match.
Strapping was immediately applied to the England full-back's ankle and Mallinder hopes to have the number 15 available next weekend.
"He's got it iced and fingers crossed he can play next week," Mallinder said. "I think he's re-sprained it and he's staying positive."
Warm applause for Catt
London Irish's performance was hardly a fitting send-off for Mike Catt, the 2003 World Cup-winning centre who was playing in his last match before retirement.
The 38-year-old came off the bench to warm applause from both sets of fans and played the final 13 minutes, even jokingly being given the man-of-the-match award.
It brings to an end a glorious career for Catt, who played 75 times for England.
"You can't base your career on one game," he said.
"I was always going to get around 10 minutes. To be fair, I just wanted one.
"It won't set in for a while but I felt very comfortable out there, even though I haven't played for a few months. I still felt like I had the drive to do it."
Danie Coetzee's try, converted by Tom Homer, was the only bright spot on a gloomy afternoon for Irish, who ended the season sixth.
Irish head coach Toby Booth said: "I'm very disappointed. Sometimes you have to hold your hand up and say you were beaten by a better side."
