Saints boss Mallinder: Cup final is just the start

Published on Monday 15 March 2010 09:58

SAINTS boss Jim Mallinder believes next week's LV= Cup final against Gloucester can be a springboard for the rest of the season.

Mallinder's men kept up their chances of an unprecedented treble with a 31-20 win over Saracens at Franklin's Gardens yesterday.

In a feisty semi-final that saw five yellow cards, a two-try blitz from Paul Diggin and Brian Mujati after the break set up the victory that gives Saints a chance of winning the domestic cup for the first time in what will be their fourth final.

And with Saints second in the Guinness Premiership and in the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup, Mallinder feels winning the LV= Cup will be just the boost his men need as they look to clinch a hat-trick of trophies in just their second season back in the top flight.

Mallinder said: "This final can definitely be a springboard for the rest of the season.

"But it is going to be a hard game, I watched the first half of the other semi-final and Gloucester are a good side now.

"They have improved massively since the beginning of the season. Their confidence will be high, they have got a few players back from injury and they aren't losing too many to the Six Nations.

"They will go in fancying themselves."

And Mallinder admits his side's chances could well be in the hands of England boss Martin Johnson as he picks his side to take on France the day before Sunday's final at Worcester's Sixways ground.

Chris Ashton, who put in another top display yesterday, could well come in for injured winger Ugo Monye, with Shane Geraghty and Phil Dowson also in the mix to cover injuries.

Mallinder said: "In terms of our squad we don't quite know who is going to be available. You have to look at England first and Martin Johnson has got to pick his side yet.

"There were injuries up front and out wide that could affect players that we have available.

"We will wait and see, we will probably know tomorrow and then pick our best team available after that."

Soane Tonga'uiha was man of the match against the team he is going to join in the summer. Mallinder was more than disappointed when the Tongan decided to leave Franklin's Gardens for a bigger pay packet, but he was full of praise for the big prop's display against his future team-mates.

"It was a real good performance from Soane today, particularly in the loose," said Mallinder.

"Our scrum at times was good, we got a couple of good penalties and put them under pressure but again we did concede a few in that area, but Soane played well, he was good for us up front and certainly helped in the win."

SAINTS are putting 1,000 cup final tickets on general sale at 2pm today. They are 20 adults and 10 juniors. There will be no sales over the phone, they are only available via the internet and in person at the ticket office.

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Saints boss Mallinder: Cup final is just the start

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