Sundays big Ospreys v Northampton European showdown...! Euro cup ..!

by maestegmafia Thu Jan 15, 2015 7:57 am

Ospreys v Northampton Saints

Fit to play: Christian Day
Fit to play: Christian Day

The Ospreys have done Northampton no favours in their team selection in what should be a pulsating Champions Cup game at the Liberty Stadium.

The Welsh region's hopes of qualification are slim but they will not go down wondering what might have been as head coach Steve Tandy names Rhys Webb, Dan Biggar and plenty more talent in his XV.

Dan Lydiate is ruled out so in comes James King on the blindside while last week's scorer Tyler Ardron continues at number eight this weekend.

The Ospreys currently sit on eight points after four matches, six behind Racing Metro and seven off Northampton Saints with two rounds remaining.

Meanwhile, Northampton make six changes from last weekend - a quintet of those in the forwards - as the final block of European Champions Cup pool fixtures begin.

It is an entirely new front-row, returning skipper Dylan Hartley flanked by Alex Waller and Gareth Denman on the loose and tighthead respectively, while Christian Day is fit again and back in the second row for the Round 5 clash.

The final change up front comes at number eight, Samu Manoa making his return to the starting XV, while Ken Pisi's introduction is on the right wing is the solitary alteration among the backs.

Form: Ospreys lost 18-14 away to Racing Metro in their last European clash but currently sit at the top of the Pro12 standings following last week's 22-11 win over the Dragons. Saints beat Treviso 67-0 in Round Four but were beaten 20-7 by Sale in the Premiership last week. Northampton Saints have won on their last four trips to Wales, with their most recent win on Welsh soil coming in last season's competition against the Ospreys. Ospreys are winless in eight home matches against English sides; losing seven. Ospreys' loss to Northampton last season represents their largest home defeat to an English team.

The teams:

Ospreys: 15 Daniel Evans, 14 Aisea Natoga, 13 Ashley Beck, 12 Josh Matavesi, 11 Eli Walker, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Rhys Webb, 8 Tyler Ardron, 7 Justin Tipuric, 6 James King, 5 Alun-Wyn Jones (c), 4 Rynier Bernardo, 3 Aaron Jarvis, 2 Scott Baldwin, 1 Marc Thomas.
Replacements: 16 Sam Parry, 17 Gareth Thomas, 18 Dmitri Arhip, 19 Morgan Allen, 20 Sam Lewis, 21 Martin Roberts, 22 Sam Davies, 23 Hanno Dirksen.

Northampton Saints: 15 Ben Foden, 14 Ken Pisi, 13 George Pisi, 12 Luther Burrell, 11 George North, 10 Stephen Myler, 9 Lee Dickson, 8 Samu Manoa, 7 Calum Clark, 6 Tom Wood, 5 Christian Day, 4 Sam Dickinson, 3 Gareth Denman, 2 Dylan Hartley (c), 1 Alex Waller.
Replacements: 16 Mikey Haywood, 17 Ethan Waller, 18 Alex Corbisiero, 19 Phil Dowson, 20 Teimana Harrison, 21 Joel Hodgson, 22 James Wilson, 23 Jamie Elliott.

Date: Sunday, 18 January
Venue: Liberty Stadium, Swansea
Kick-off: 17:30 (GMT)
Referee: Jerome Garces (France)
Assistant referees: Patrick Pechambert (France); Jonathan Gasnier (France)
Fourth Official Jean-Marie Piraveau (France)
TMO Jean-Marie Piraveau (France)

*****

Ospreys are in for a very hard afternoon, a long injury list, the team not playing well in their las few games and their entire European Cup season rests on them not just winning this but winning well.

Saints have fought and bought their way into being a European powerhouse. The Ospreys should struggle to compete.

With so many front line injuries in the pack, scrum time will be a nightmare. Saints might be missing Courtney Lawes from their line out but they can replace him with Manoa...!

Not a result I hold much hope for I am affraid...

by nathan Thu Jan 15, 2015 8:42 am

Nice little dig you've got in there

by BigTrevsbigmac Thu Jan 15, 2015 9:30 am

nathan wrote:Nice little dig you've got in there

Yes it doesn't go unnoticed but we are all used to it by now!

How about 'Ospreys tried to buy & fight their way into being a European powerhouse but spectacularly failed' as a reasoned riposte.

by **LondonTiger** Thu Jan 15, 2015 9:38 am

Lets leave the fish on the hook, guys.

Top of the Pro12 vs top of the AP.

or

Injury ravaged Os vs Out of form Saints

Whichever way you look at it a massive game. saints struggle away from home in europe, while Ospreys will be desperate to make amends for the hammering they received at the Gardens. Should be fascinating.

by Guest Thu Jan 15, 2015 10:01 am

Scrum time vomit

by BamBam Thu Jan 15, 2015 10:43 am

Good to see Maes getting his excuses in early, means he can point to the weakened team if Ospreys lose and take even greater pleasure in the win if they win thumbsup

by bedfordwelsh Thu Jan 15, 2015 11:08 am

I think it will be a long day at the office for the Os but who knows, I guess a losing BP is something they would be glad with.

by Hound of Harrow Thu Jan 15, 2015 11:13 am

North and maybe Ma'afu are the only players Saints have pushed the boat out for. Hardly 'buying' success in comparison to the French and the big names some of the Irish provinces have recruited over the last ten years.

Having let Mujati and Tonga'uhia go they certainly had the room under the salary cap to recruit.

by lostinwales Thu Jan 15, 2015 11:53 am

Seeing as Saints play in front of decent crowds and normally run at a profit you could say they have earned the right to spend a bit too.

by maestegmafia Thu Jan 15, 2015 12:49 pm

bedfordwelsh wrote:I think it will be a long day at the office for the Os but who knows, I guess a losing BP is something they would be glad with.

An LBP would be pointless as a result. They need a BP win to move up the group and into contention.

by maestegmafia Thu Jan 15, 2015 12:57 pm

Hound of Harrow wrote:North and maybe Ma'afu are the only players Saints have pushed the boat out for. Hardly 'buying' success in comparison to the French and the big names some of the Irish provinces have recruited over the last ten years.

Having let Mujati and Tonga'uhia go they certainly had the room under the salary cap to recruit.

Hound compare the two first choice teams and there are a lot of players that haven't graduated from the Saints academy. Last time we played them there were nine ex-academy players in the Os, about three ex-saints academy players in their team.

Being able to afford to reinforce the weaker parts of their team to the quality level they have is a different ball park to the Ospreys. Same can be said for most of the top pool leading teams in Europe.

I think it is a fair comment on the difference between the Celtic teams and some of the English teams to say that they bring through and select a lot more home grown talent than the top grossing clubs in Europe.

by wayne Thu Jan 15, 2015 1:00 pm

There are many, in fact the majority on our forum that want us to put out a seriously weakened team Sunday, and the following week against Treviso, in order to rest them up for the more important Guinness qualification later on in the season, I've argued against that, going by the coaches interviews, they seem to be taking my view, I know we have little chance of qualification, but if there is still a chance you have to go with it.

by **LondonTiger** Thu Jan 15, 2015 1:20 pm

maestegmafia wrote:
Being able to afford to reinforce the weaker parts of their team to the quality level they have is a different ball park to the Ospreys. Same can be said for most of the top pool leading teams in Europe.

1) Saints have a smaller catchment area
2) The disparity in the salary budgets for the two ERCC squads will be miniscule.

Saints have a very good academy - which you would know if you paid any attention to the players who have resigned in the last few weeks. Yes Ospreys have more academy lads in their side - but easier to do when you get 25% of your countries recruits - probably more. Yes the vast majority of the Saints team to play this weekend did not come through their academy - but very few were big name signings, most were developed from young players at the club.

Likely team (bold=Academy, Italics=unheralded signing that developed at the club)

Waller
Hartley
Ma'afu
Lawes
Day
Wood
Clark
Manoa
Dickson
Myler
North
Burrell
Pisi
Elliot
Foden

Ma'afu and North are the only big name signings that have been brought in to re-inforce weaker parts of the side. Even then North is on less money than Ashton was offered to stay.

You can bitch and moan about how unfair things are - even when they are much fairer than you claim - or you can get behind a team who are top of their league and playing a big match. Up to you.

by maestegmafia Thu Jan 15, 2015 1:31 pm

I am stating a fact. One you agree with too...!

Saints have a better team with less players from their academy than the Ospreys do.

Stop trying to troll my post...!!!

by No 7&1/2 Thu Jan 15, 2015 1:33 pm

It's true the excuses are there.

by **LondonTiger** Thu Jan 15, 2015 1:35 pm

You make me laugh. You make an accusation, it is challenged, you change the accusation and then you get upset at others.

Saints have not bought success which was your original allegation. They do not pay big money for players. They have recruited well. Recruited young and undeveloped talent.

by maestegmafia Thu Jan 15, 2015 1:44 pm

I wrote "fought and bought". You are picking up on one word and twisting it as though the whole post is about the fact that Saints have marquee signings far greater than the Ospreys, which you agree they do.

Your constant twisting and inventive interpretation of my posts is trolling, it's abuse and it is bloody annoying.

Stop trolling and stick to discussing rugby.

by Cyril Thu Jan 15, 2015 1:46 pm

Message to the OP.

Don't post inflammatory comments in your 'article' if you don't want to be called up on them.

by Guest Thu Jan 15, 2015 1:57 pm

Almost worth starting a new match thread, without the dig. Then you might get the "discussion" you were maybe after.

by nathan Thu Jan 15, 2015 2:04 pm

Risca Rev wrote:Almost worth starting a new match thread, without the dig. Then you might get the "discussion" you were maybe after.

theres no point, he can't help himself

by maestegmafia Thu Jan 15, 2015 2:04 pm

Risca Rev wrote:Almost worth starting a new match thread, without the dig. Then you might get the "discussion" you were maybe after.

There is no dig..

As the mods say "just ignore the idiotic comments and let them deal with it".

by maestegmafia Thu Jan 15, 2015 2:05 pm

http://www.ospreysrugby.com/News/Article/38007

Preview on the Ospreys website with interviews with Gruff, Dan Evans and Aaron Jarvis...

by **LondonTiger** Thu Jan 15, 2015 2:27 pm

Ma'afu ruled out having received a 1 match ban for cumulative yellow cards (1 YC plus 2 Level 1 citings).

by wayne Thu Jan 15, 2015 2:57 pm

LondonTiger wrote:
maestegmafia wrote:
Being able to afford to reinforce the weaker parts of their team to the quality level they have is a different ball park to the Ospreys. Same can be said for most of the top pool leading teams in Europe.

1) Saints have a smaller catchment area
2) The disparity in the salary budgets for the two ERCC squads will be miniscule.

Saints have a very good academy - which you would know if you paid any attention to the players who have resigned in the last few weeks. Yes Ospreys have more academy lads in their side - but easier to do when you get 25% of your countries recruits - probably more. Yes the vast majority of the Saints team to play this weekend did not come through their academy - but very few were big name signings, most were developed from young players at the club.

Likely team (bold=Academy, Italics=unheralded signing that developed at the club)

Waller
Hartley
Ma'afu
Lawes
Day
Wood
Clark
Manoa
Dickson
Myler
North
Burrell
Pisi
Elliot
Foden

Ma'afu and North are the only big name signings that have been brought in to re-inforce weaker parts of the side. Even then North is on less money than Ashton was offered to stay.

You can bitch and moan about how unfair things are - even when they are much fairer than you claim - or you can get behind a team who are top of their league and playing a big match. Up to you.

Tiger, not arguing the whole post, but your fact about the finances of both clubs being about the same is truly one of the most delusional posts I've ever read on these boards

by BamBam Thu Jan 15, 2015 3:18 pm

maestegmafia wrote:I am stating a fact. One you agree with too...!

Saints have a better team with less players from their academy than the Ospreys do.

Stop trying to troll my post...!!!

Oh the irony.

Maes up to his usual tricks, ramping it up just as the 6N come up on the horizon

by **LondonTiger** Thu Jan 15, 2015 3:20 pm

Lydiate and tipuric vs Wood and Clark should be a cracker.

by wayne Thu Jan 15, 2015 3:30 pm

LondonTiger wrote:Lydiate and tipuric vs Wood and Clark should be a cracker.

If it was only so, as Lydiate was signed too late to qualify it wont happen

by bedfordwelsh Thu Jan 15, 2015 3:32 pm

maestegmafia wrote:
bedfordwelsh wrote:I think it will be a long day at the office for the Os but who knows, I guess a losing BP is something they would be glad with.

An LBP would be pointless as a result. They need a BP win to move up the group and into contention.

I think a win is a hard ask let alone a bonus point win so is it a dead rubber game then Maes?

by **LondonTiger** Thu Jan 15, 2015 3:34 pm

wayne wrote:
LondonTiger wrote:Lydiate and tipuric vs Wood and Clark should be a cracker.
If it was only so, as Lydiate was signed too late to qualify it wont happen

Ah of course.

For some reason I thought he had not appeared for Racing, so could have been a permitted change to the squad after round 4.

by Hound of Harrow Thu Jan 15, 2015 4:19 pm

Maes - on the academy players for both sides. The regions have a NWQ limit (6?) to their squads imposed by the WRU. The Prem, and French clubs have no such restrictions, but Prem clubs are rewarded for having 15 EQ players in their squads.

Therefore it follows that the regions are bound to have more ex academy players in their match day 23. Their academies are their primary source of players. Quins probably field the most ex academy players in their team in England, but they've achieved little when it comes to the senior Euro competition.

Teams need the experience of players who have played in pressure games and won. If you don't have that experience, then acquire it.

It's the WRU you need to look at. They have tied both hands behind the regions back with the NWQ policy and a refusal to fund them adequately.

Anyway, the Ospreys at home is a tough game, so let's hope it's a good one.

by maestegmafia Thu Jan 15, 2015 5:24 pm

True Hound,

But one of the positives is the traditional rugby club feel. Local lads making it and playing at a decent level.

Pragmatically speaking some of the Ospreys best players are ex academy, like Quins, we just can't financially compete in the outsourcing market with a £3.5M wage cap.

We get Matavesi, good signing, and Arhip and Saints get George North and Salesi Ma'Afu

by doctor_grey Thu Jan 15, 2015 10:37 pm

maestegmafia wrote:True Hound,

But one of the positives is the traditional rugby club feel. Local lads making it and playing at a decent level.

Pragmatically speaking some of the Ospreys best players are ex academy, like Quins, we just can't financially compete in the outsourcing market with a £3.5M wage cap.

We get Matavesi, good signing, and Arhip and Saints get George North and Salesi Ma'Afu

Ma'afu? Really? He was never considered a 'big name' signing. He was just big and out of shape. In fact, he was out of Australian Rugby because of his physical conditioning. In a manner of speaking, he really did eat himself out of Australia. Eventually, Saints took a flyer on him and immediately, and as part of the contract, had him in special weight loss training away from the club and was on a strict diet. In other words, Saints invested in him, more than simply salary, to build him back up to being a serviceable player. Re-developed at the club.

North, on the other hand, was indeed a big signing. And he under performed last season despite the £££. This season is somewhat better.

Not for nuthin' but Saints were founded in 1880 (I was a lad then). They have been a vital part of the Northampton community ever since. A traditional club from stem to stern. Doubtless.

by **LondonTiger** Thu Jan 15, 2015 10:54 pm

doctor_grey wrote:

Not for nuthin' but Saints were founded in 1880 (I was a lad then). They have been a vital part of the Northampton community ever since. A traditional club from stem to stern. Doubtless.

Perhaps you should join us in this:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-30814066

by TJ Thu Jan 15, 2015 10:55 pm

lostinwales wrote:Seeing as Saints play in front of decent crowds and normally run at a profit you could say they have earned the right to spend a bit too.

Yup - one of the few "rich" teams with a long term sustainable business.

by TJ Thu Jan 15, 2015 10:57 pm

My bet. Ospreys to score more tries but to lose

by doctor_grey Thu Jan 15, 2015 11:00 pm

LondonTiger wrote:
doctor_grey wrote:

Not for nuthin' but Saints were founded in 1880 (I was a lad then). They have been a vital part of the Northampton community ever since. A traditional club from stem to stern. Doubtless.

Perhaps you should join us in this:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-30814066

That is fantastic! Now I have got to go see for myself.
I'm with you, mate, a Tigers sign on one side of the ticket booths and a Saints sign on the other side. Indeed, Wasps would be stuck between a rock and a hard place.

by BigTrevsbigmac Thu Jan 15, 2015 11:07 pm

Blimey who'd have thought it, Saints & Tigers unite against the mighty Wasps. Shocked

Bring it on Very Happy

sounds as though your a bit worried chaps? Cool

by doctor_grey Thu Jan 15, 2015 11:37 pm

BigTrevsbigmac wrote:Blimey who'd have thought it, Saints & Tigers unite against the mighty Wasps.

Bring it on sounds as though your a bit worried chaps?

Sundays big Ospreys v Northampton European showdown...! Euro cup ..! Madmag

by BigTrevsbigmac Thu Jan 15, 2015 11:45 pm

doctor_grey wrote:
BigTrevsbigmac wrote:Blimey who'd have thought it, Saints & Tigers unite against the mighty Wasps.

Bring it on sounds as though your a bit worried chaps?

Haha respect Doc.

Anyway we may end up having the highest attended Derby in the Midlands when we play the Tigers?

I was at Adams Park when we despatched the Saints mind Wink

by maestegmafia Fri Jan 16, 2015 8:44 am

TJ wrote:
lostinwales wrote:Seeing as Saints play in front of decent crowds and normally run at a profit you could say they have earned the right to spend a bit too.

Yup - one of the few "rich" teams with a long term sustainable business.

There are a number of clubs in the UK that own their own stadiums. I remember that Northampton RFC bought Franklins Gardens for a steal in the 70s. It was about the price of a large house.

by doctor_grey Fri Jan 16, 2015 11:06 am

BigTrevsbigmac wrote:
doctor_grey wrote:
BigTrevsbigmac wrote:Blimey who'd have thought it, Saints & Tigers unite against the mighty Wasps.

Bring it on sounds as though your a bit worried chaps?

Haha respect Doc.

Anyway we may end up having the highest attended Derby in the Midlands when we play the Tigers?

I was at Adams Park when we despatched the Saints mind

Hopefully, this can really build into a nice three-way rivalry drawing big crowds. Hopefully someone with some Marketing savvy will see the possibilities and promote the daylights out of these matches and make them real big time, high visibility events. With Tigers and Wasps having larger seating capacity, it makes the Gardens seem positively small. And the renovation of the north end is not enough to keep up with our neighbors.

p.s. Did Saints play Wasps already this season? I don't remember anything............

by nathan Fri Jan 16, 2015 11:58 am

doctor_grey wrote:
BigTrevsbigmac wrote:
doctor_grey wrote:
BigTrevsbigmac wrote:Blimey who'd have thought it, Saints & Tigers unite against the mighty Wasps.

Bring it on sounds as though your a bit worried chaps?

Haha respect Doc.

Anyway we may end up having the highest attended Derby in the Midlands when we play the Tigers?

I was at Adams Park when we despatched the Saints mind
Hopefully, this can really build into a nice three-way rivalry drawing big crowds. Hopefully someone with some Marketing savvy will see the possibilities and promote the daylights out of these matches and make them real big time, high visibility events. With Tigers and Wasps having larger seating capacity, it makes the Gardens seem positively small. And the renovation of the north end is not enough to keep up with our neighbors.

p.s. Did Saints play Wasps already this season? I don't remember anything............

hopefully we'll be increasing again this year

by TJ Fri Jan 16, 2015 12:35 pm

wayne wrote:
LondonTiger wrote:
maestegmafia wrote:
Being able to afford to reinforce the weaker parts of their team to the quality level they have is a different ball park to the Ospreys. Same can be said for most of the top pool leading teams in Europe.

1) Saints have a smaller catchment area
2) The disparity in the salary budgets for the two ERCC squads will be miniscule.

You can bitch and moan about how unfair things are - even when they are much fairer than you claim - or you can get behind a team who are top of their league and playing a big match. Up to you.
Tiger, not arguing the whole post, but your fact about the finances of both clubs being about the same is truly one of the most delusional posts I've ever read on these boards

Ospreys will be less - but in overall spending power there will be little in it. Certainly not enough to make a real difference. Saints are not toulon!

by WELL-PAST-IT Fri Jan 16, 2015 1:21 pm

Doc,

From a Saints perspective there was not a lot to remember, bit like last week.

by **LondonTiger** Fri Jan 16, 2015 1:27 pm

According to EPCR website, Saints not playing a left winger:

Ospreys
15. Daniel Evans; 14. Aisea Natoga, 13. Ashley Beck, 12. Josh Matavesi, 11. Eli Walker; 10. Dan Biggar, 9. Rhys Webb; 1. Marc Thomas, 2. Scott Baldwin, 3. Aaron Jarvis, 4. Rynier Bernardo, 5. Alun-Wyn Jones (c), 6. James King, 7. Justin Tipuric, 8. Tyler Ardron
16. Sam Parry, 17. Gareth Thomas, 18. Dmitri Arhip, 19. Morgan Allen, 20. Sam Lewis, 21. Martin Roberts, 22. Sam Davies , 23. Hanno Dirksen

Northampton Saints
15. Ben Foden; 14. Ken Pisi, 13. George Pisi, 12. Luther Burrell, 11. ; 10. Steve Myler, 9. Lee Dickson; 1. Alex Waller, 2. Dylan Hartley (c), 3. Gareth Denman, 4. Sam Dickinson, 5. Christian Day, 6. Tom Wood, 7. Calum Clark, 8. Samu Manoa
16. Mikey Haywood, 17. Ethan Waller, 18. Alex Corbisiero, 19. Phil Dowson, 20. Teimana Harrison, 21. Joel Hodgson, 22. James Wilson, 23. Jamie Elliott

by bedfordwelsh Fri Jan 16, 2015 1:54 pm

Maybe they think that not having a winger there is still better defensively than picking North there. Whistle

by The Saint Fri Jan 16, 2015 2:31 pm

TJ wrote:
wayne wrote:
LondonTiger wrote:
maestegmafia wrote:
Being able to afford to reinforce the weaker parts of their team to the quality level they have is a different ball park to the Ospreys. Same can be said for most of the top pool leading teams in Europe.

1) Saints have a smaller catchment area
2) The disparity in the salary budgets for the two ERCC squads will be miniscule.

You can bitch and moan about how unfair things are - even when they are much fairer than you claim - or you can get behind a team who are top of their league and playing a big match. Up to you.
Tiger, not arguing the whole post, but your fact about the finances of both clubs being about the same is truly one of the most delusional posts I've ever read on these boards

Ospreys will be less - but in overall spending power there will be little in it. Certainly not enough to make a real difference. Saints are not toulon!

Buying North out of his contract and giving him a hefty salary would suggest otherwise. But still, Saints have recruited very well and don't need to buy their success unlike Toulon.

by WELL-PAST-IT Fri Jan 16, 2015 2:33 pm

After the way North put Ospreys to the sword last time I can understand why a Welshman would want that to be the case; anyone but North. Bad luck it is North, Elliot was predicted a while back but no, the Destroyer of Welsh (Pro 12 anyway) dreams is playing.

A lot of Englishmeen will be hoping that Ospreys give hime a little niggle towards the end of the match, nothing serious, just enough to keep him out for a couple of weeks.

Surprise for me is Denman at TH with Ethan Waller covering on the bench.

Talk was that Ethan would convert to a TH next season, but with KB coming that may not be necesary.

I think he would do better having a go at hooker, Hartley apart, Saints hookers tend to be on the smaller more mobile side. 6ft and 17.25st is a perfect size, whilst it is a little small for a prop, especially a TH

by The Saint Fri Jan 16, 2015 2:34 pm

I think Ospreys are too weak up front to win this, even if they had Smith and Arhip starting they would still struggle. Besides that every time they've played Northampton they have gone into their shells and just put in an all around poor performance. I can't see this game being any different, unless they front up and put in a performance equal to the previous one in Paris.

by WELL-PAST-IT Fri Jan 16, 2015 2:35 pm

The Saint wrote:
TJ wrote:
wayne wrote:
LondonTiger wrote:
maestegmafia wrote:
Being able to afford to reinforce the weaker parts of their team to the quality level they have is a different ball park to the Ospreys. Same can be said for most of the top pool leading teams in Europe.

1) Saints have a smaller catchment area
2) The disparity in the salary budgets for the two ERCC squads will be miniscule.

You can bitch and moan about how unfair things are - even when they are much fairer than you claim - or you can get behind a team who are top of their league and playing a big match. Up to you.
Tiger, not arguing the whole post, but your fact about the finances of both clubs being about the same is truly one of the most delusional posts I've ever read on these boards

Ospreys will be less - but in overall spending power there will be little in it. Certainly not enough to make a real difference. Saints are not toulon!

Buying North out of his contract and giving him a hefty salary would suggest otherwise. But still, Saints have recruited very well and don't need to buy their success unlike Toulon.

Don't forget the fine they played for allowing North to contrat to play Wales games out of the international window.

Not like the Welsh regions getting their WQ star players saleries paid by the WRFU is it?

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