"But I think the game did hinge on some crucial refereeing decisions. I felt the referee got quite a lot wrong. I think it is as simple as that. It is difficult. It is an intimidating place to play with a cracking atmosphere. Sometimes you don't always get the rub of the green and I think we will look back and probably say we did not quite get it." – Northampton coach Jim Mallinder (November, 2011) "Unfortunately there were a couple of decisions that didn't go our way and we didn't get the result we wanted. We are at stadium:mk, it's a packed house and we will be looking to get our own back." – Mallinder (January, 2012)
THERE IS a Sicilian proverb La vendetta e un piatto che va servito freddo, of which there are several derivations but they essentially share the same meaning which translates as “revenge is a dish best served cold”.
Today at stadium:mk in Milton Keynes the Northampton Saints entertain Munster in the final game of the pool phase in the Heineken Cup. The Irish province are chasing a home quarter-final, their hosts looking for a victory that would guarantee them progress to a similar stage, albeit of the Amlin Challenge Cup.
This match cannot be viewed as a single entity because it is tethered to what happened when the two teams met on the opening weekend of the tournament in Limerick when Munster pilfered a 23-21 victory on foot of Ronan O’Gara’s drop-goal. The Saints believe that they were sinned against at Thomond Park and have since offered several victim impact statements.
Seeking sporting justice can be a deeply unsatisfactory pursuit if unrequited. The term revenge has been bandied about on one side of the Irish Sea in the build-up to today’s match and judging by the nature of some comments, it’s more likely to be piping hot, than cold. The English club has refused to couch/camouflage their desire for what they see as a redemptive win in the usual pre-game platitudes.
Selecting two quotes from Northampton coach, Jim Mallinder, separated by 10 weeks indicates that perceptions relating to the first match haven’t been diluted much by time. He is not alone. Saints fullback Ben Foden spoke about “owing” Munster. They’re bullish about their chances today; understandably in some respects.
Munster have chosen a different tack. They too have not forgotten views expressed in the aftermath of the match in Limerick. Munster coach Tony McGahan alluded to the fact recently when noting that “Northampton made their feelings known after the game”.
It would be an anathema for the Irish province to verbally call-out opponents prior to a match. The reputation of the Munster players and management for grace in defeat is predicated on an initial respect for whom they are playing.
Northampton’s confidence is underpinned by five successive victories, including wins over Aviva Premiership leaders Harlequins (24-3) and then last weekend they travelled to Parc y Scarlets and avenged an earlier European defeat to the Scarlets (29-17).
On a superficial level everything seems set fair for Northampton but on closer examination it’s not quite so rosy. During the week Chris Ashton was reported to have been involved in a training ground confrontation with Mallinder, the root of the dispute possibly in informing the coach that a move from the Saints to Saracens have been upgraded from mooted to agreed.
The frank exchange of views wasn’t a surprise, nor the upshot as Mallinder had previously noted: “There’s not an offer on the table from us for Chris because his agent does not want to talk to us. We’ve not had discussions and I think his mind is elsewhere. If he wanted to stay, we’d talk to him.
“If any player wants to go, for whatever reason, whether that’s moving to London, or a massive financial offer, we’re not going to stand in their way. We’ll shake their hand and we’ll get players who want to play for Northampton.” Ouch.
It came on foot of number eight Roger Wilson announcing that he is to return to Ulster at the end of the season and the likelihood that centre James Downey will also be repatriated to Munster.
The two Irish players have been outstanding contributors during their time at Franklin’s Gardens. The absence of Tom Wood (foot) and Courtney Lawes (knee) will be keenly felt this afternoon.
The Ashton contretemps aside, morale should be good reflecting the recent England squad announcement in which interim coach Stuart Lancaster named eight Saints, Chris Ashton, Calum Clark, Lee Dickson, Phil Dowson, Ben Foden, Dylan Hartley, Courtney Lawes and Tom Wood – it represents a club record – in the senior group and a further two Ryan Lamb and Paul Doran Jones in the Saxons panel to play the Irish Wolfhounds.
This afternoon in Milton Keynes, Northampton would be foolish to be consumed by the notion of revenge, instead recognising it as a by-product of a top-grade performance. The fact that their current European status might have been greatly altered had they managed to hang on to a win at Thomond Park is irrelevant in the context of this afternoon.
Mallinder initially appreciates the need to positively channel his team’s focus, yet continues to shake the defeat in Limerick like a rag doll. “If we play like that (a reference to the win over the Scarlets) and attack with the same intensity, pace and accuracy; if we defend with that desire and organisation, then you are always in with a chance.
“We’d like to beat them. We were so disappointed not to win over there, (when we) played well. It was a cracking game of rugby. They played well as well. That’s gone but what we can do is prove we are still a good team in Europe. We can do something about that by winning on Saturday.”
Substantiating their intentions is going to make for a fascinating spectacle.
(Third English Premiership)
EP Rd 1 W Northampton 26 Gloucester 24
EP Rd 2 L Harlequins 26 Northampton 13
EP Rd 3 L Northampton 13London Irish 14
EP Rd 4 L Sale 29 Northampton 21
EP Rd 5 L Worcester 12 Northampton 3
EP Rd 6 W Northampton 33Exeter 3
EP Rd 7W Northampton 44 Newcastle 15
EP Rd 8 W Wasps 13 Northampton 24
HC Rd 1 L Munster 23 Northampton 21
HC Rd 2 L Northampton 23 Scarlets 28
EP Rd 9 W Northampton 30 Saracens 8
EP Rd 10 L Leicester 30 Northampton 25
HC Rd 3 L Castres 41Northampton 22
HC Rd 4 W Northampton 45 Castres 0
EP Rd 11 W Northampton 22Bath 13
EP Rd 12 W Newcastle 14 Northampton 32
EP Rd 13 W Northampton 24 Harlequins 3
HC Rd 5 W Scarlets 17 Northampton 29
