Mallinder wary of Sarries

Saints boss vows not to take Saracens lightly

By Rachel Griffiths   Last updated: 13th March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Mallinder wary of Sarries

Mallinder: Wary of Sarries

They are very strong in the contact area in attack and defence and put a lot of pressure on you.

Jim Mallinder
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Northampton director of rugby Jim Mallinder is expecting a tough test against Saracens in LV= Cup action on Sunday.

Saracens made a bright start to the season under Brendan Venter by storming to the top of the Guinness Premiership table with a 10-match unbeaten league run.

However, the Watford-based club have fallen to three defeats in their last four games in all competitions, and Saints triumphed when the clubs met in the pool stages of the Anglo-Welsh competition.

But Mallinder is not taking their rivals lightly, and is expecting a challenging encounter at Franklin's Gardens.

Success

"Saracens are a good team," said Mallinder.

"They know how they want to play and they've had a lot of success with it. They've got some very good players and we'll have to be at our best this weekend to beat them.

"They are very strong in the contact area in attack and defence and put a lot of pressure on you.

"They've also got some pacy backs out wide who are good on the counter-attack and half-backs who can put a good, structured kicking game together so we've got to be aware of those threats as well."

In-form Saints, meanwhile, are on course for three separate pieces of silverware this season as they also target Guinness Premiership and Heineken Cup glory, and Sarries boss Venter is well aware of what his side are up against.

"Northampton are a good side and a very well rounded team. They like to run the ball up and play multi-phase rugby so we know what to expect from them," said Venter.

"The match is a great opportunity to get to a final and to have the chance to secure Heineken Cup rugby at this stage of the season is a big carrot - just as it is to face Northampton Saints."