Mallinder: Castres clash is crucial for Saints
Saints boss Jim Mallinder says his side will have to win their opening home clash against Castres if they are to reach the Heineken Cup quarter-finals for the second season running.
Northampton kick off this season's Heineken Cup with a Franklin's Gardens clash against the French outfit on Friday October 8. It means, though, that Saints will finish their pool one schedule with a tough trip to Castres' intimidating Stade Pierre-Antoine on January 21, 22 or 23.
Saints won all their home games in the Heineken Cup last season, including a superb victory over Munster to kick-off their campaign, and Mallinder knows they have to do that again and pick up bonus points to have any chance of getting out of a tough pool, with a trip to Edinburgh on Saturday October 16 and a home clash with Cardiff on Saturday December 11 to follow.
"It's good that we're starting off with a home tie but we will have to make it count," said Mallinder.
"Home form is crucial in the Heineken Cup if you want to progress to the quarter-finals, and we will have to get off to a win over Castres.
But it should be a good occasion, especially on a Friday night under floodlights, which always makes for a cracking atmosphere.
"Having matches in Edinburgh and Cardiff will also give supporters who may not be able to follow us in France or Italy the opportunity to watch us away in Europe.
"Murrayfield and the Cardiff City Stadium are difficult places to play, but they are both big stadiums and it would be great to see the Saints supporters make their presence felt."
The return clash with Cardiff has been arranged for Sunday December 19, which means Saints will be without devout Christian prop Euan Murray for six of the first 15 games of the season, with the LV= Cup schedule yet to be decided.
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Friday 10 February 2012
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