Champions Cup Pool 3: Northampton Saints v Racing 92, 18 December

PREVIEW: North counting on home support
 
George North is backing the Franklin's Gardens roar to help Northampton Saints get back to winning ways in the Champions Cup.
 
After a blistering start with wins over the Scarlets and Glasgow Warriors North's side came crashing down to earth in Paris in a five try, 33-3 defeat by a Dan Carter inspired Racing 92. That made it two from two for the Top 14 side and if they can add a third successive win in Northampton they will be in the box seat in Pool 3.

"The support that we get at Franklin's Gardens is massive for us and it inspires us to go again. We've got to front up on Friday night and get the job done," North told SaintsTV.

"The boys want to rectify what happened last weekend. The standard that the French teams have is tough to step up to, but we've been looking forward to the return fixture.

"Racing 92 are a big team full of stars - they have so much quality they have two or three sides to pick from. It is one of those where we need to deal with it and adapt."

The big-spending Frenchmen did the double over Saints last season and won't fear returning to Franklin's Gardens having won there 32-8 in the final round of pool matches. And with Carter now in their ranks they have a world class talisman to run the show from No 10 and provide the most prodigious kicking boot the game has ever known.

Saints director of rugby Jim Mallinder will have George Pisi and Jon Fisher back in contention for a place in the side this week and could also be able to consider New Zealand utility back James Wilson, who is back from a long term injury.

While Saints skipper Lee Dickson joined Mallinder in claiming the final scoreline didn't accurately reflect what went on in the game, the two men both know there is no margin for error at home. Racing 92 will also be expecting a different challenge.

"We are not getting carried away, it was an important win for us, and we took our chances clinically, but there are things we have to work on ahead of the return game in Northampton. We were not composed enough at times and we know how tough it will be at their place," said scrum half Mike Phillips.

The Wales an British & Irish Lions No 9 stepped down from international rugby last week and seemed to have a point to prove in his first start since the World Cup - and his first game in tandem with Carter. It's not often that a 99 times capped player passes the ball to someone who has won 112!

"Dan was superb all through last week, a world-class player who is only going to get better each training session and every game. His presence here is great for the club and the squad," added Phillips.

"He is a quick learner and looked as if he had been here for a long time, but he knows it is all about the team."

Match Facts

• Racing 92 remain undefeated in three matches against Northampton Saints after a 33-3 victory in their round 3 encounter last weekend.
  
• Northampton Saints have lost their last four Champions Cup games against French opposition, these defeats coming by an average scoreline of 31-7.
  
• Racing 92 have won seven and drawn one of their last nine matches in the Champions Cup, losing only once (by one point to Saracens in the opening round of this season).
  
• Racing are undefeated in their last four matches away from home in the Champions Cup (W3, D1).
  
• Northampton have made more metres from mauls (114) than any other side in the 2015/16 Champions Cup so far.
  
• These two sides are two of just four teams that are yet to lose a scrum against the head.
  
• Racing have the best defence in the competition so far, having conceded just 7.5 points per game.
  
• Racing have won three and lost two of five away games against English opposition in the history of this competition.
  
• Northampton's tally of just three points last weekend was their lowest ever match score in a European fixture.
  
• Two of Racing's biggest wins in Champions Cup history have come against Northampton, with their 30 point margin of victory last weekend only being bettered by a 53-7 win over Treviso in January.
  

formerly known as Sam wrote:I can see this one being a lot closer. French teams don't travel well, particularly in December. Add in Saints generally perform well at the Gardens and will be fired up after the humiliating scoreline from last week.

Saints win but Racing get the losing bonus point.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Saints have started very poorly by their recent standards but I think they'll find their feet.

Alex King having his head turned by England probably isn't helping matters with the backline.

yappysnap wrote:Saints backrow just looks so 'meh' add to that Dicksons poor form and they'll struggle again.

Myler, Burrell, Pisi is a much better combination though.

nathan wrote:who was the player that was pushed in near the throat and went down like a sack of spuds and acting like he couldn't breath

Cyril wrote:Dulin did a bit of a Stuart Hogg there!

Cyril wrote:

nathan wrote:who was the player that was pushed in near the throat and went down like a sack of spuds and acting like he couldn't breath

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3f4Tq7f0xec

This one? Huget about 25 seconds in.

nathan wrote:it seems Saints attacking plan is to see where the most racing players are lined up and attack them

pledgeX wrote:What have the Saints been up to this week in training? Half of the squad are sporting some fairly hefty shiners!