SAINTS: 'We're Euro contenders'
Saints' boss Jim Mallinder says his side are well-and-truly in the mix to top pool one after a second Heineken Cup win over Treviso.
The Italian champions again showed they are no mugs at this level, pushing Saints all the way in a 21-18 win for the visitors.
Saints missed out on the bonus point, but the win puts them second in pool one after Munster's win in Perpignan yesterday. They are two points behind the Irish side with two games to play, including what could be a decider at Munster in the final round of matches.
Perpignan, who now look out of contention, lost at Treviso and Mallinder is adamant that Munster will not find it easy when they travel to the Stadio Comunale di Monigo.
Mallinder said: "We are well and truly in the mix now. It is a very difficult place to play. It would have been great to have got a bonus point, but I don't think Munster will find it easy when they come out here.
"It is frustrating when you get three tries and you are just one off, but it is not the end of the world. It would have been lovely to come out here and get it, but it is a very difficult place to play and Treviso are a good side and make it awkward for you to score tries.
"When you come here, you have got to take all your opportunities, and we didn't quite do that. The good thing is that we are a little bit frustrated and disappointed that we couldn't go on and get that fourth try."
Saints scored three tries through star man Phil Dowson, Jon Clarke and Courtney Lawes, but saw Ben Foden drop the ball when he was about to touch down for a try.
Treviso came back with two tries of their own and with their dominant forward pack, they proved a hard nut to crack in the freezing conditions.
Mallinder said: "I wouldn't say they were on top in the scrum, but they were good in the scrum. They scored a penalty try when we went down to seven (when Neil Best was yellow-carded), it is an area of strength for them.
"Phil played well in attack and defence, he got back and helped Ben and the back three out and he was fairly safe under the high ball.
"We created a few chances. Ben Foden went very close, it was a shame he couldn't quite ground that ball, which would have given us that fourth.
"But it wasn't for the lack of trying, just a little bit of accuracy we need to work on and improve and we need to do that for 80 minutes."
The kick-off was delayed by an hour and 15 minutes as an army of Treviso officials, fans and helpers cleared the pitch of snow from 7am.
It meant a bit more waiting around in the hotel for the Saints players, but Mallinder refused to use that as an excuse.
The Saints director of rugby said: "It didn't help, but good players are mentally and physically prepared for every game and that is what we need to improve."
Four-page Saints special in today's Chronicle & Echo
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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