European Cup Pool Three: Northampton Saints have their sights set on an unlikely Heineken European Cup quarter-final place tonight with skipper Steve Thompson promising that they "will give it our all." The English Premiership strugglers are guaranteed last-eight status if they beat Glasgow at Franklin's Gardens and secure a bonus point.
Northampton last night received a huge lift after their England star Ben Cohen ended speculation about his future by signing a new three-year contract. The World Cup-winning wing had been linked to a move away from Northampton earlier this season. At least three other Premiership clubs were monitoring him.
"I am very happy to have agreed to play for the Saints for at least another three years," said Cohen, who has won 45 England caps and scored 29 Test tries. "I love the club and it feels like home, but that is not the reason I want to stay. I am convinced this club has the will and the ability to start winning consistently, and in the near future compete for every honour available in club rugby. I want to be a part of that, starting tomorrow night against Glasgow."
Assuming Toulouse beat Llanelli Scarlets tonight, also in Pool Three, Saints will progress as a best runner-up. Even without a bonus point, victory should still be enough.
The prospect of Northampton competing at this season's European Cup business end would have been dismissed as ludicrous during the autumn, when they lost nine successive league games and plummeted to the Premiership basement. But since rugby director Alan Solomons' departure, coaches Budge Pountney and Paul Grayson have masterminded a steady revival, featuring four successive victories in all competitions.
Pountney has made three changes from the side that pipped Llanelli 22-20 at Stradey Park last Sunday. Former Springboks skipper Corne Krige, who suffered an ear injury against Llanelli, drops to the bench and is replaced by Darren Fox, with prop Brett Sturgess taking over from Chris Budgen and Mark Tucker starting instead of wing Wylie Human.
Former Scotland international Kenny Logan returns to action with Glasgow Warriors tonight. The winger has not played since suffering a head injury at Llanelli four weeks ago.
Logan was denied a return to the starting XV against Toulouse last week because of a neck strain. He will play from the start with Graeme Beveridge and Andrew Kelly who were replacements last weekend. Beveridge resumes as starting scrumhalf after Sam Pinder had groin surgery earlier this week. Kelly replaces Lee Harrison at tight-head with Ben Prescott called up as reserve prop.
Northampton could even win their group if Toulouse come unstuck against the Scarlets, but that is unlikely, especially as the French giants have won 14 successive Cup games on home soil.
"Llanelli may be out of it, but they have such a proud tradition that they will come to Toulouse with expectations and determined to do their team proud," said Toulouse star and Wales captain Gareth Thomas. "It is great playing against the Welsh teams, but I am very disappointed for the Scarlets that they cannot qualify for the quarter-finals.
"From a purely personal point of view, it would have been great if this had been the decider for the pool winner - with Toulouse finishing top and the Scarlets runners-up."
Scarlets boss Gareth Jenkins has selected a strong side for the Toulouse trip, even though his team were eliminated following the Northampton defeat. "We are out, but there is pride at stake," said Jenkins. "Toulouse are a great team, and this is the first time we have played them out there. If we want something out of this tournament, then we have to go there and wear the jersey proudly. For us, the pressure is off, but Toulouse will be very aware of their need to win the fixture to top the Pool Three table. We will be looking to deliver a big game."
