Saints v Tigers: Teams
Northampton Saints director of rugby Jim Mallinder is insisting that Saturday's derby clash with Leicester is just another game.
Last Updated: 10/01/09 6:58pm
Northampton Saints director of rugby Jim Mallinder is insisting that Saturday's derby clash with Leicester is just another game.
Franklin's Gardens is sold out for the clash between the east midlands rivals, however Mallinder is focused solely on picking up as many points as possible.
"Local derbies are important, especially from a supporter's point of view, but in terms of our overall Guinness Premiership campaign tomorrow's game is as vital as any other," said Mallinder.
"Every league point matters as much in every Premiership round. Tomorrow evening we will be giving our all to win all of the league points that are on offer.
"To do so we will have to put in another good performance. When Leicester came back from a 19-point deficit to beat Bath last weekend they showed that they have the ability to play for the full 80 minutes and the quality to create and finish chances.
"However we produced some good rugby in beating Bristol and are looking forward to meeting the challenge of facing Leicester."
Momentum
Leicester forwards coach Richard Cockerill is looking for his side to build on their victory over Bath.
Cockerill has been handed the reins with head coach Heyneke Meyer having returned to South Africa due to family illness - and he started his temporary spell in charge with a comeback victory over Bath.
Cockerill now wants his side to build on that win against the Saints.
He said: "We had a good win over Bath last week and we are building a little bit of momentum, but now we are into a very important local derby.
"Saints are unbeaten at home and they have beaten all the big sides there.
"There is a healthy rivalry between the clubs but also a lot of respect, and that is what you want in sport."
Seru Rabeni and Toby Flood return to the starting XV for the short trip, with Dan Hipkiss ruled out through injury.
Lewis Moody is rested, so Ben Herring comes in on the openside flank, while hooker George Chuter, lock Marco Wentzel and No.8 Brett Deacon also start.
Northampton: 15 Ben Foden, 14 Paul Diggin, 13 Jon Clarke, 12 James Downey, 11 Sean Lamont, 10 Stephen Myler, 9 Lee Dickson, 1 Tom Smith, 2 Dylan Hartley, 3 Euan Murray, 4 Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe (capt), 5 Juandre Kruger, 6 Mark Easter, 7 Scott Gray, 8 Mark Hopley.
Replacements: 16 Paul Shields, 17 Soane Tonga'uiha, 18 Christian Day, 19 Courtney Lawes, 20 Bruce Reihana, 21 Carlos Spencer, 22 Chris Mayor
Leicester: 15 Geordan Murphy, 14 Johne Murphy, 13 Seru Rabeni, 12 Aaron Mauger (capt), 11 Matt Smith, 10 Toby Flood, 9 Julien Dupuy, 1 Boris Stankovich, 2 George Chuter, 3 Julian White, 4 Marco Wentzel, 5 Ben Kay, 6 Tom Croft, 7 Ben Herring, 8 Brett Deacon.
Replacements: 16 Benjamin Kayser, 17 Martin Castrogiovanni, 18 Martin Corry, 19 Craig Newby, 20 Ben Youngs, 21 Sam Vesty, 22 Scott Hamilton