Rested Saints stars raring to go ahead of Bath battle

Jim Mallinder says the players he rested against Harlequins last Friday will be raring to go for this week’s crunch clash with Bath.
EXCITING TIMES - Jim Mallinder is looking forward to a big month at Saints (Picture: Linda Dawson)EXCITING TIMES - Jim Mallinder is looking forward to a big month at Saints (Picture: Linda Dawson)
EXCITING TIMES - Jim Mallinder is looking forward to a big month at Saints (Picture: Linda Dawson)

Mallinder opted to leave Ben Foden out of the squad for the Amlin Challenge Cup semi-final win, while Luther Burrell, Tom Wood and Courtney Lawes came off the bench late on.

That means Saints, who claimed an 18-10 victory at Franklin’s Gardens, can call on some refreshed players for Friday’s trip to the Recreation Ground.

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And Mallinder is ready to go all out for the win that would book a home Premiership play-off semi-final.

“It’s about managing the season, winning games, getting to finals and keeping momentum going, but using your squad,” said the Saints boss.

“We’re pleased with how Friday went, pleased we’ve kept a few back and hopefully they’ll be raring to go for our tough game on Friday.”

The Bath game will be the first in what Saints will hope will be a huge month in the club’s history.

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They will look to add a place in the Premiership grand final to the showpiece spot they have already secured in Europe, with Bath providing the opposition in Cardiff on May 23.

And Mallinder is excited by what lies ahead at Saints.

“It’s where you want to be: fighting on two fronts,” he said. “Our attentions now go back to securing a home semi-final.

“If we win at Bath on Friday we get it secured and we’ll go all guns blazing.”