Former Sale boss Jim Mallinder is hoping that his Northampton can catch the Sharks cold after their three-week break from competitive rugby.
Sale last played on the first of the month while the visiting Saints will be looking to avenge last week’s defeat in the LV Cup final when the pair clash on Saturday.
Northampton top the league table and Mallinder, who coached the Sharks for three years, is unsure of what impact the break will have on the home team.
“The interesting thing will be to see how a bit of rest has affected them,” he said.
“Whether it has been good or bad for them and you never quite know. They have sort of had three weeks off or without a game so I am sure they will be fresh and raring to get into us.”
Mallinder praised Sale’s ‘basic’ but effective game for lifting them out of the relegation scrap they were in last year and is happy to be welcoming back a host of internationals including England star Luther Burrell, who used to ply his trade with the Sharks.
Also among the familiar faces for Sale fans will be Ben Foden, who came through the ranks in the North West, before moving to the Saints.
The 28-year-old has 34 caps for England and is looking forward to facing his old club and attempting to help Northampton secure their position as table toppers.
“We know we have our work cut out at the weekend but we have the big guns coming back from international duty who will hopefully put in a big performance and encourage everybody around them to get the season back on track,” Foden told Saints TV.
Main image courtesy of Fearless Fred via Flickr, with thanks.
