Cole says Tigers versus Saints clash is going to be ‘one to remember’

England prop Dan Cole believes Saturday’s Aviva Premiership showdown between fierce rivals Leicester and Northampton ‘should be one to remember’.
RED CARD GLEE - Dan Cole (far left) and his Leicester team-mates show their delight as referee Wayne Barnes dismisses Saints skipper Dylan Hartley in the Aviva Premiership Final at Twickenham in May (Picture: Sharon Lucey)RED CARD GLEE - Dan Cole (far left) and his Leicester team-mates show their delight as referee Wayne Barnes dismisses Saints skipper Dylan Hartley in the Aviva Premiership Final at Twickenham in May (Picture: Sharon Lucey)
RED CARD GLEE - Dan Cole (far left) and his Leicester team-mates show their delight as referee Wayne Barnes dismisses Saints skipper Dylan Hartley in the Aviva Premiership Final at Twickenham in May (Picture: Sharon Lucey)

The Welford Road clash will be a first meeting since the clubs faced each other in last season’s Premiership final at Twickenham.

Leicester won 37-17, but the game is remembered for Saints skipper Dylan Hartley’s first-half red card after he verbally abused match referee Wayne Barnes.

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England hooker Hartley subsequently received an 11-week ban and lost his place in the British and Irish Lions’ squad for the tour of Australia.

The latest encounter comes with both clubs having made strong league starts, suffering just two defeats between them from eight games.

“We always look forward to playing against Saints,” Tigers forward Cole said.

“These games are the reasons why you play rugby, really.

“Going on last season’s performances, we are the best two teams in the country and we are local rivals, so it should be one to remember.

“They have a good forward pack and like to use it, and so do we, so I am expecting a busy game.

“I can’t wait to get going, really.”