Saints v Saracens: Teams
Northampton director of rugby Jim Mallinder is looking for an improved performance against Saracens on Saturday.
Last Updated: 13/02/09 3:35pm
Northampton director of rugby Jim Mallinder is looking for an improved performance as his side take on Saracens at Franklin's Gardens in the Guinness Premiership on Saturday.
After notching four successive wins in the Guinness Premiership and European Challenge Cup, Saints came unstuck against Harlequins in their previous fixture.
Mallinder says that any repeat of that performance will lead to the Saints' good home record coming under severe threat.
"We weren't good enough against Harlequins, plain and simple," he said.
"Saracens are a good outfit who will bring a settled side to Franklin's Gardens. They have a dangerous mix of experience and potential.
"Players like Justin Marshall and Kris Chesney have been around the game for a long time while Noah Cato and Andy Saull are just two of some highly rated youngsters at Saracens.
"Eddie Jones is also a coach who has been at the highest levels of world rugby and knows how to get the best out of a team.
Competitive
"But we have prepared well, despite the weather. The players have all put in plenty of effort and concentration throughout the week and selection was difficult.
"Everyone has been keen to play and get our season back on track. We're at the start of a crucial part of the campaign and everyone in the camp will be working hard for a positive result."
Matt Cairns returns to the Saracens starting line-up after three months out through injury, while Justin Marshall also makes his competitive debut.
Hooker Cairns has been ruled out since November with a broken arm, while All Black scrum-half Marshall gets his first taste of league action in Saracens colours since signing a short term contract as cover for the injured Neil de Kock and Moses Rauluni.
"It's been a long wait and longer than I would have hoped, but I'm very pleased to be back," explained Cairns.
"I've been working really hard in the past two weeks to get myself ready for this game after what has been a frustrating time out.
"But I've been able to work hard on my fitness and use the time off as productively as possible, but now I can't wait to get back out on the pitch."
Northampton: 15 Ben Foden, 14 Paul Diggin, 13 Jon Clarke, 12 James Downey, 11 Bruce Reihana (c), 10 Stephen Myler, 9 Lee Dickson, 8 Roger Wilson, 7 Neil Best, 6 Mark Easter, 5 Juandre Kruger, 4 Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe, 3 Barry Stewart, 2 Brett Sharman, 1 Soane Tonga'uiha.
Replacements: 16 Paul Shields, 17 Tom Smith, 18 Christian Day, 19 Courtney Lawes, 20 Alan Dickens, 21 Barry Everitt, 22 Chris Mayor.
Saracens: 15 Alex Goode, 14 Richard Haughton, 13 Kevin Sorrell, 12 Andy Farrell (c), 11 Noah Cato, 10 Glen Jackson, 9 Justin Marshall, 8 Ben Skirving, 7 Andy Saull, 6 Wikus van Heerden, 5 Tom Ryder, 4 Hugh Vyvyan, 3 Cencus Johnston, 2 Matt Cairns, 1 Nick Lloyd.
Replacements: 16 Andy Kyriacou, 17 Cobus Visagie, 18 Kris Chesney, 19 Don Barrell, 20 Mickey Wilson, 21 Brad Barritt, 22 Adam Powell.