Saints without Wood for Cup semi

HEINEKEN CUP SEMI-FINAL
Venue: Stadium MK Date: Sunday 1 May Kick-off: 1500 BST
Coverage: Live on BBC 5 live sports extra, Radio Northampton & the BBC Sport website; text commentary on BBC Sport website; live on Sky Sports 2

Hartley said was not worried by his team’s lack of experience

Northampton will be without Tom Wood for Sunday’s Heineken Cup semi-final with Perpignan after the inspirational flanker fractured his right leg.

Wood, who could be out for the rest of the season, is replaced by England Under-20 captain Calum Clark.

Saints are England’s last representatives in Europe’s premier club competition this season.

“If we play to the top of our game we’ve got a very good chance,” said Saints director of rugby Jim Mallinder.

“Perpignan haven’t been doing quite so well in the league, but they’ve made Europe a massive priority.

“They rested some key payers last week against Toulon in the league so they can come here and have a very good chance.

“It’s unfortunate we won’t have Tom Wood this weekend but we’ve certainly not counted him out for the season, hopefully there’s a chance he could return before the end.

“But Calum Clark has been doing really well for us and I’m sure he’ll be a really able replacement.

“We’ve got to win the battle up front, have a good, solid scrum, drive well and our forwards have got to get round the field and be good in the contact areas.

“But Perpignan will be thinking exactly the same thing. They’ve got a big pack and some very powerful men.”

Meanwhile, hooker Dylan Hartley said Northampton’s double disappointment last season had taught them a lesson.

Last year they lost in the Premiership semi-finals and the last eight of the Heineken Cup in quick succession.

“We had a Premiership semi-final and Cup quarter-final then within a week it was over – see you next year,” he reflected.

“Luckily we’re in the same position this year and we have refocused. Every week is like a cup final for us now.

“We have everything to play for. The motivation is there. If you don’t win these matches, you are off on holiday next week really.”

Saints are perceived as inexperienced underdogs against the French side, who were beaten finalists in 2003, but Hartley is not concerned.

“It does not worry me,” he said. “I think we learned enough last year. I spoke to the lads earlier in the week and kind of went around the room.

“Very few had even got to a quarter-final so this is a big thing for this group of players and it is exciting. In knockout rugby this is the sort of team that can turn up and win any game.”

Perpignan joint-captain Nicolas Mas admitted Saints presented a formidable challenge.

“Their team has done brilliantly in the tournament this season, winning all seven of their matches,” said the French international prop.

“It will be a big challenge for us to go and play there but we will go there armed with a huge appetite and strong ambitions because we want to do well and you don’t get involved in matches like this every day.

“Just like ourselves, Northampton are a very physical outfit, especially up front with their captain Dylan Hartley and other internationals in their powerful pack.

“Then they have other English aces in the backs like Ben Foden and Chris Ashton, so we are in for a really tough contest.”

Northampton: B Foden; C Ashton, J Clarke, J Downey, P Diggin; S Myler, L Dickson; S Tonga’uiha, D Hartley (capt), B Mujati, C Lawes, C Day, C Clark, P Dowson, R Wilson.

Replacements: B Sharman, A Waller, T Mercey, M Sorenson, M Easter, S Commins, S Geraghty, J Ansbro.

Perpignan: J Porical; A Plante, D Marty, G Hume, J Candelon; N Laharrague, D Mele; P Freshwater, G Guirado, N Mas, R Alvarez Kairelis, R Tchale Watchou, G Le Corvec, B Guiry, D Chouly.

Replacements: C Geli, K Pulu, J Schuster, H Tuilagi, K Boulogne, M Edmonds, J Michel, G Vilaceca.

Referee: George Clancy (Ireland).