Perpignan v Northampton

[An Tarbh]

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Probably the match of the weekend on our hands down in Perpignan, you'd expect a backlash from the French champions following their shock defeat to Treviso. Saints on the other hand will be out to prove that last weekend's win was just a stepping stone on the way to topping this pool and they'll be odds on to do so if they can come away with 4 points on Friday.

Perpignan have a hugely impressive home record with their last defeat in this competition coming more than 5 years ago when Wasps turned them over on route to winning their first Heineken Cup. They're unbeaten at home domestically since April 2007 when Biarritz managed to beat them on the way to the final against Paris. If Saints get the win then their odds will be shortened considerably. Given the strength of the home record I'd be hugely surprised if we see a raft of changes from the Catalans.

Probably the most disappointing thing is the fact that Sky are only showing this via their interactive service, no offence to Sale and the Cardiff Blues but if it's a wet evening in Stockport, short odds in fairness, then we're likely to be treated to a dour match whereas down in Perpignan we're in for a cracking occasion.

Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU)

 

[munstermuffin]

WHAT NOT LIVE ON SKY?????

Disgrace they pick Cardiff (a team who struggling to find form) and Sale (a team who know they'll never win H'Cup) over Perpignan (wounded French champions and different animal at home) vs Northampton (Team probably on biggest high and in best form they've been in for years) A disgrace.

Listen to all this sky hype probably B'Sh*t over Cueto and Co been England stars (constantly loosing) over Northampton (A team with genuine International contenders) been really tested :wacko: :wall:

 

[Charles]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (An Tarbh @ Oct 13 2009, 01:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU)[/b]

<_<


Close game

 

[dullonien]

As An Tarbh pointed out in another thread though, the decisions of what game to show were made quite a while ago. At that time everyone might have expected the Blues v Sale match to be the most exciting game, afterall the Blues were semi-finalists last year. For selfish reasons I'm glad that this game is on the regular channel (not interactive). I missed two of the Welsh regions games last week (Dragon's and Scarlets), so it's good for me that this is showing.

Edit: Charles, Nigel Owens is probably one of the better referees on the circuit. At least he tries to allow a game to flow, and he has the balls to make a decision without going to the TMO every time a try is scored! (One of my pet hates)

 

[Bullitt]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (dullonien @ Oct 13 2009, 02:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Edit: Charles, Nigel Owens is probably one of the better referees on the circuit. At least he tries to allow a game to flow, and he has the balls to make a decision without going to the TMO every time a try is scored! (One of my pet hates)[/b]

I defy you to say one occasion he's ever done that!

 

[dullonien]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Teh Mite @ Oct 13 2009, 02:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (dullonien @ Oct 13 2009, 02:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Edit: Charles, Nigel Owens is probably one of the better referees on the circuit. At least he tries to allow a game to flow, and he has the balls to make a decision without going to the TMO every time a try is scored! (One of my pet hates)[/b]

I defy you to say one occasion he's ever done that!
[/b][/quote]
Well I can't think of one off the top of my head. But he's certainly alot better than many refs for allowing the game to flow. That's usually because he's not affraid to give yellow cards to persistent infringers in the rucks, and often sorts out the front row, scum time better than most.

 

[shazbooger]

I like him actually. Not "like" as i dont know him in that way. I mean I respect him as a referee of professional rugby matches.

 

[Olyy]

I've always thought Nigel Owens was a good ref as well.

Looking forward to this match, should be a good un, Perpignan are going to be trying extra hard, especially as they're at home, and the Saints, if they continue their good form, are going to be going at it hammer and tongs. Going to be some great rugby, no idea who'll win

 

[Charles]

I predict some fisticuffs as well...


Perez, Tincu, Olibeau, Tchale-Watchou, Hartley, Lawes etc... :blink:

 

[dullonien]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Logorrhea @ Oct 13 2009, 03:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

I like him actually. Not "like" as i dont know him in that way. I mean I respect him as a referee of professional rugby matches.[/b]

:lol:

 

[shazbooger]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (dullonien @ Oct 13 2009, 04:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Logorrhea @ Oct 13 2009, 03:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I like him actually. Not "like" as i dont know him in that way. I mean I respect him as a referee of professional rugby matches.[/b]

:lol:
[/b][/quote]

Just wanted that to be quite clear

 

[Sir Speedy]

I wish everyone did that. I mean, clarify the intended meaning when they say, 'he looked good', when discussing a player post-match.

 

[MunsterMan]

Speedy, just for you, when I say a player "looked good" in the context of a rugby match, I mean he looked like a good rugby player

Owens is by no means a great referee, but he is better than most.

Northampton could find it hard to get themselves up (too easy) for this game after last weekend, and against the French Champions playing at home with a point to prove, I think Perpignan should win, Saints won't get a BP.

 

[Bullitt]

Saints will take something from this one. 1, 2 or 3 points more then likely, but (obviously) I'd take a win in any form.

 

[munstermuffin]

Possibly Game of weekend and it only on interactive :wah:

 

[Bullitt]

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS TEAM TO PLAY PERPIGNAN
Heineken Cup Round 2
Stade Aime Giral
Friday, October 16th, 2009
Kick off 9pm CET (8pm BST)
15 Ben Foden
14 Chris Ashton
13 Jon Clarke
12 James Downey
11 Bruce Reihana
10 Shane Geraghty
9 Lee Dickson
1 Soane Tonga’uiha
2 Dylan Hartley (capt)
3 Santiago Bonorino
4 Courtney Lawes
5 Juandre Kruger
6 Phil Dowson
7 Neil Best
8 Roger Wilson

Replacements
16 Brett Sharman
17 Regardt Dreyer
18 Brian Mujati
19 Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe
20 Mark Easter
21 Alan Dickens
22 Stephen Myler
23 Chris Mayor

 

[Bullitt]

ERCs head-to-head
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Jérôme Porical 15 Ben Foden
Farid Sid 14 Chris Ashton
David Marty 13 Jon Clarke
Maxime Mermoz 12 James Downey
Julien Candelon 11 Bruce Reihana
Nicolas Laharrague 10 Shane Geraghty
Nicolas Durand 9 Lee Dickson
Perry Freshwater 1 Soane Tongauiha
Guilhem Guirado 2 Dylan Hartley
Nicolas Mas 3 Santiago Bonorino
Rimas Alvarez Kairelis 4 Courtney Lawes
Robins Tchale Watchou 5 Juandre Kruger
Gerrie Britz 6 Phil Dowson
Jean-Pierre Perez 7 Neil Best
Henry Tuilagi 8 Roger Wilson

Replacements

Marius Tincu 16 Brett Sharman
Jérôme Schuster 17 Regardt Dreyer
Kisi Pulu 18 Brian Mujati
Guillaume Vilaceca 19 Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe
Ovidiu Tonita 20 Mark Easter
Steve Meyer 21 Alan Dickens
Florian Cazenave 22 Steve Myler
Christophe Manas 23 Chris Mayor</div>

 

[Jockstap]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Charles @ Oct 14 2009, 04:14 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

I predict some fisticuffs as well...


Perez, Tincu, Olibeau, Tchale-Watchou, Hartley, Lawes etc... :blink:[/b]

You forgot the worst of the bunch, Neil "I'm always being told to calm down" Best.

 

[feicarsinn]

Scrum for Perpignan on the Northampton 5m line... and Nigel Owens gives an attacking penalty with Perpignan driving over makes no sense to me that. Anyway they're going for it again.

 

[feicarsinn]

Ouch held up over the line. If Northampton can get away with this it'll be huge.

ANOTHER penalty at the scrum by Northampton, can't believe there hasn't been a penalty try or a yellow card yet.... there is it. Penalty try, Perpignan scrum mincing Northampton. 10-0