6:12pm Friday 19th March 2010
BRYAN Redpath admits he has admired what Northampton have achieved this season, but that will not stop the Gloucester boss from plotting Saints’ LV= Cup final downfall and putting an end to their treble ambitions.
The clubs clash at Worcester’s Sixways Stadium on Sunday (3.30pm) with silverware and prized Heineken Cup qualification at stake.
That will guarantee a high-octane occasion despite both teams being without several international stars due to this weekend’s RBS 6 Nations schedule.
Northampton are still pushing for Heineken Cup and Premiership glory this term, but Gloucester’s best hope of success lies with the Anglo-Welsh tournament.
“It’s massive for the club,” said head coach Redpath.
“Northampton are a quality side, they’ve been very consistent throughout the season. We have looked at some of the stuff they’ve achieved this season and admired it.”
Flanker Peter Buxton skippers a Gloucester side minus Mike Tindall, Marco Bortolami and Gareth Delve, while Saints go into battle without Ben Foden, Chris Ashton and Dylan Hartley among others.
Tickets for the match are still available.
Gloucester: F Burns; J Simpson-Daniel, T Molenaar, E Fuimaono-Sapolu, L Vainikolo; N Robinson, R Lawson; N Wood, O Azam, P Capdevielle, W James, A Brown, P Buxton (capt), A Qera, A Eustace. Replacements: D Dawidiuk, Y Thomas, R Harden, A Satala, A Hazell, D Lewis, T Voyce, C Sharples.
Northampton: S Geraghty; B Reihana, J Clarke, J Downey, P Diggin; S Myler, L Dickson; S Tonga’uiha, B Sharman, B Mujati, C Lawes, J Kruger, P Dowson (capt), N Best, R Wilson. Replacements: A Long, R Dreyer, J Vickers, M Hopley, M Easter, A Dickens, B Everitt, J Ansbro.
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