Can Saints turn it around against Leinster?

Northampton Saints have had a torrid time of it against Irish giants Leinster in the Champions Cup overall, having emerged victorious just once in all their nine encounters.

Saints’ solitary victory occurred in 2013 when they managed to pull one over Leinster 18-9. Since then, however, they have known no joy in this fixture.

In 2019, the teams met twice – on consecutive weekends – first at Franklins Gardens, where Leinster proceeded (as they did to almost everyone they played that season) to turn the screws on their opponents with the game ending 43-16 in the Irishmen’s favour:

In the second meeting, things did not improve for Saints who leaked 50 points:

In Round 1, Saints suffered a narrow defeat to Bordeaux (16-12) while Leinster kicked their campaign off to a good start with a strong, 35-14 away win over Montpellier.

The general consensus is that Saints do not have much of a chance in this one, all things considered. On paper and on the pitch, Leinster are looking fantastic; averaging five tries a game to Saints’ zero.

As always, it starts up front. If Saints wish to turn things around, their forwards will have to take the game to Leinster. Siants have the players in their pack, with the likes of All Black legend Owen Franks, the talented David Ribbans and the battle-hardened Courtney Lawes and Shaun Ardendorff to name a few. It seems more a question of mind-set at the moment.

Leinster will be in high spirits going into this encounter with history and current form on their side. Can Saints muster the fortitude to spring a surprise, however?