Saints v Ospreys review: North went for the Fourth

George North stole the show in scoring all four tries for Saints in the 34-6 victory against Ospreys. 

Saints started their campaign for the Champions cup in a negative way after losing against Racing Metro last week. However, this week proved a different story. Although, worrying signs for Saints players, James Wilson and Luther Burrell after being forced off with injuries, did not stop them to claim the win. Wilson departed the field just after nine minutes which captapulted George North into the centre, where it gave him the opportunity to score the four tries. 

Saints lead the half, 20 - 3 (2 tries, 2 conversions (Saints) and 1 penalty (Ospreys.)) Another solo performance by George North secured the victory - alongside Stephen Myler's kicking accuracy of 100% in the game. 

The Saints' win was all down to shear power of their pack, Courtney Lawes, like normal having a fine all - round game and number 8, Samu Manoa putting his muscle power to good effect but it was the devastating finishing power of the 6ft plus, 17 stone North that put Ospreys in disrepair. 

Not only was North powering through Ospreys defence but the win was also helped by backs such as Ken Pisi and Ben Foden. However, two poor passes by Foden contributed to the two disallowed tries in the first half. 

There was an exchange of accurate penalties before Saints sprung into life. With Myler passing a long - loopy pass to North to charge over the line - for their first try of many. The second try came when a beautiful pass from Pisi met North's hands to dodge two Ospreys defenders to put the ball gracefully over the try line. Myler converted both tries - the Saints confidence boost came from Biggar, the normally on-point Ospreys kicker missed 3 times out of 4 and denied them any hope of coming close to the Saints scoreline.

North's ability saw him take two defenders over the line to complete his third but not final try of the night. Followed by Myler's conversion - time was running out quickly for Saints to claim the important bonus point but North, strong as ever, ripped the ball from an opponents hands on the halfway line. A little chip over the heads of the Ospreys defence let him storm pass, to score a stunning try and earn Northampton Saints the well deserved five-points. 

Saints fall short at Paris

Saints lose to Racing Metro 92, 20-11, in the new European Champions Cup.

Conditions were hot and humid by the time Saints set out onto the pitch in Paris, for the late kick off time against Racing Metro 92.

A quick try in the first 4 minutes showed dominance by Racing. This was then converted by the Irish fly-half, Jonny Sexton. 

Possession was very equal from both sides for a considerable amount of time. However, Racing looked more dangerous as they added more pressure onto the Saints defence. With possession being equal but also the errors: Saints lost simple linesouts which, for them, is unusual. 

Penalties by both fly-halves finished the first 40 minutes with Saints trailing 10-3. 

A massive push was needed by Saints to insure the win in the first round of the European Champions Cup. 

A continued theme of penalties started off the half. On the contrary, Saints were looking likely for the win. A try by Phil Dowson gave them a glimmer of hope, although, an unusual miss by Myler took them to 11-13. All Saints needed to do was keep their defencive wall strong and score a try. 

All seemed well. Saints had possession with seconds left on the clock, Ben Foden kicked the ball, hoping it would go deep into Racings 22, however a man charged down by Racing Metro player, Andreau. This gave him the open chance to score a try. With 80 minutes left on the clock, the game was over and there was a loss for Saints. 

Although, Racing had two yellow cards, Saints couldn't quite push to the victory. In my opinion, the ref did not make it easy  - some decisions were made which went against Saints to cost them the win.

My Saintsman of the Match: Luther Burrell 

Saints v Sale Review: Sharks lack Bite

Saints Star-man Samu Manoa scores a hat trick to secure premiership leaders Saints, to a easy win. 
It was an emotionally-charged day, with Saints formally remembering the life of Saints fan, Luis Ghaut - with only 4 months previously, leading out the side in their Premiership final win back in May.

Saints were rarely troubled by Sale and were three tries ahead going into the break (Ken Pisi, Samu Manoa and George Pisi) and then followed the second half with another three tries (Manoa (2) and Kahn Fotuali'i.) 

Sale saw plenty of the ball early on which showed worrying times for the Saints side but defence by Saints was solid.  Stephen Myler had already got a penalty when the first Pisi brother, Ken, went over the line to score a try for the home side team. Ken Pisi bounced through several tackles to score a superb try. Sale simply gave Saints the next try by Marc Jacob's kick into his own half which slotted the ball into Manoa's hands: who wiggled his way through, for the second try of the game. 

England contentor, Danny Cipriani, put the first points on the board for Sale by kicking an easy penalty but once again Sale handed the ball to Saints to score another fabulous try. This time by the other Pisi brother, George. Myler's short and percise kick found the hands of Ken Pisi, before George collected it and finished on the outside. 

A push from the Saints pack let Manoa power over the line for the fourth and fifth try of the day. Yet, more was to come. A slither of hope came from Sale, where a credible break through from Tom Brady gave Sale their only try of the game.
 
Minutes to go, Fotuali'i snatched a lose ball and scored. Leading Saints into an incredible 43-10 victory over Sale. This puts the Saints squad in high spirits for next week, the start of the European Rugby Champions Cup.

Man of the Match: Ken Pisi
My Man of the Match: Samu Manoa  

London Irish Review: Saints lead the league once again.

Saints lead the league once again with a 19-12 victory over London Irish. 

Saints strong defence stopped Irish from scoring any tries, although accurate kicked penalties by London Irish nearly cost Northampton the victory. Myler and Burrell being the crucial men in the win.

Team mates in the past, Myler and Gerahty battled it out with their kicking accuracy. However, Myler outshone the ex-Saint.
Geraghty did in fact get a total of four penalties, who kicked Irish to a win over Leicester just last week. 

Saints kicked off with a fast tempo style of play, which won them a penalty at the first scrum, setting high authority over Irish. Quickly, another penalty given, but this time a miss because of an awkward right kick.

Saints were dominating in the scrum although missing two key England players, Dylan Hartley and Alex Corbisiero. Irish began to crumble under the pressure which gave Saints important penalties for point opportunities. Irish were determined not to give up, soon they were putting their own points onto the board too.

A worrying change for the Saints side came early. Lee Dickson, scrum half and Captain, was forced off with a shoulder injury. He was replaced by Kahn Fotuali'i just 15 minutes into the game. 

Irish slowly put pressure onto Saints but George Pisi did one of his hard-hitting and powerful tackles on London Irish's key man, Shane Geraghty. The Samoan international replicated a simular tackle on Geraghty which happened when the sides met back in April of last season.
They used this tackle well, brother to George, Ken Pisi sprung into action. The ball was picked up by Burrell, who powered through Geraghty to slip over the tryline.Saints had another chance to score just before half time but Ken Pisi ended up being bundled into touch. 

Half time score was 10-0 to Saints. 

Irish came out storming and determinated for the win. Geraghty's long kick for post, soon closed the points gap. Not soon after, another penalty for Irish who were putting pressure onto Saints defence. 

Myler soon stretched the lead futher by the ref handing a Saints penalty at the scrum. 

A few more penalties by either side took the score to 19-12 to Saints, Irish had only two minutes to save the game but a vital tackle by George Pisi secured the win for Saints. 

A penalty filled game but Saints came on top with the victory. 

London Irish Away Preview!

London Irish away! Saints can win this one.  A challenging game against Bath last week really showed what we can do. So this week, I am really hoping a bonus point win.

This week it was announced our mighty Corbs will be out again for a crazy amount of time (till January 2-15) but this then brings Alex Waller to the attention of Stuart Lancaster. On another note, I hope to see Lawes and Wood on our travels to Redding.

My dream game would entail George North putting his rockets on and scoring a few tries and maybe the bonus point before half time! But I know this game will be tough, like all games.

I still firmly believe we can win the premiership this year, technically we only need to be in the top 4 to still win. 

Anyway, safe journey to those travelling this weekend, I am too! I have never been to London Irish before so this is a new experience and I hope to see many of you down there.

Let's keep winning for Luis! 

  

#MylerForEngland

#WallerForEngland

#SleepTightLuis