Scarlets v Northampton: Teams
Northampton are out for revenge as they head to Wales to face Scarlets in a Heineken Cup Pool 1 clash on Saturday.
Last Updated: 13/01/12 4:09pm
Northampton are out for revenge as they head to Wales to face Scarlets in a Heineken Cup Pool 1 clash on Saturday.
Scarlets ended the Saints' four-and-a-half year unbeaten home European run when the two teams met at Franklin's Gardens in November and there is no doubt that the Northampton players will have this in mind when the two teams face off.
Jim Mallinder's men come into the game on the back of a morale-boosting win over Aviva Premiership table-toppers Harlequins last time out and the Saints boss is keen to carry that momentum into their next fixture.
"We're very keen to put November's result right," said Mallinder.
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"We were very disappointed with what was our worst performance of the season. But we've put that behind us and hopefully learned some lessons which we can put into practice this weekend.
"We contributed massively to all four tries they scored at Franklin's Gardens. We made the mistakes, but they took their opportunities well and we've got to cut out the error rate and not gift them any tries.
"They're a good side with a big, tough pack and they like to move the ball as well. Rhys Priestland has a good kicking game but can get the outside backs into the action too and we've got to stop them playing.
"But we're happy with our own momentum and want to keep that going over the next couple of weeks to give ourselves a chance of getting into the Amlin Challenge Cup knockout stages.
"We're definitely going to Llanelli to win."
The Saints will have to win without star flanker Tom Wood who misses the clash after aggravating a foot injury he picked up earlier in the season. The impressive Calum Clark is his replacement.
Elsewhere, centre Tom May, wing Vasily Artemyev, fly-half Stephen Myler, scrum-half Martin Roberts and prop Brian Mujati are all handed starts.
Saints are not the only team heading into the clash on a high, though, with Scarlets having won their last three games.
The Welsh team picked up a few injuries in last weekend's bruising encounter against Glasgow and are forced into three changes as a result.
Intense
Full-back Sean Lamont (calf), second rower Sione Timani (dead leg) and prop Rhys Thomas (neck) are all ruled out. Lamon't absence means that winger Viliame Iongi gets his first start out wide.
Scarlets chief Nigel Davies knows that his men will have their work cut out trying to contain a versatile Saints outfit.
"We know what a big threat Saints are across the field - physically up front and the ability they have behind the scrum - particularly their back three players," he said.
"They will be physical and intense and it is set to be another classic European rugby battle."
Scarlets: 15 Liam Williams, 14 George North, 13 Scott Williams, 12 Jonathan Davies, 11 Viliame Iongi, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Gareth Davies, 8 Ben Morgan, 7 Rob McCusker, 6 Aaron Shingler, 5 Dominic Day, 4 Lou Reed, 3 Deacon Manu, 2 Matthew Rees, 1 Iestyn Thomas.
Replacements:16 Ken Owens, 17 Phil John, 18 Rhodri Jones, 19 Josh Turnbull, 20 Jon Edwards, 21 Rhodri Williams, 22 Stephen Jones, 23 Gareth Maule,
Northampton: 15 Ben Foden, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 George Pisi, 12 Tom May, 11 Vas Artemyev, 10 Steve Myler, 9 Martin Roberts, 8 Roger Wilson, 7 Phil Dowson, 6 Calum Clark, 5 Mark Sorenson, 4 Samu Manoa, 3 Brian Mujati, 2 Dylan Hartley, 1 Soane Tonga'uiha.
Replacements: 16 Mikey Haywood, 17 Alex Waller, 18 Paul Doran-Jones, 19 Christian Day, 20 Ben Nutley, 21 Lee Dickson, 22 Ryan Lamb, 23 Scott Armstrong.
