Northampton Saints v Bordeaux-Bègles: Tom Vickers' big match preview

Fixture: Northampton Saints v Bordeaux-Bègles
George Furbank and Dan Biggar helped Saints to beat Lyon in January and both return to the starting line-up on Friday eveningGeorge Furbank and Dan Biggar helped Saints to beat Lyon in January and both return to the starting line-up on Friday evening
George Furbank and Dan Biggar helped Saints to beat Lyon in January and both return to the starting line-up on Friday evening

Competition: Champions Cup (pool game one)

Venue: Franklin's Gardens, Northampton

Date and kick-off time: Friday, December 11, 2020, 5.30pm

Weather: 7c, mostly cloudy

Live television coverage: BT Sport 2

Referee: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)

Saints: Furbank; Tuala, Proctor, Hutchinson, Naiyaravoro; Biggar, Mitchell; Auterac, Matavesi, Franks; Ribbans, Isiekwe; Lawes, Wood (c), Adendorff.

Replacements: Fish, van Wyk, Hill, Ratuniyarawa, Tonks, Taylor, Dingwall, Olowofela.

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Bordeaux-Bègles: Buros; Cordero, Moefana, Lamerat, Lam; Botica, Lucu; Paiva, Lamothe, Cobilas; Petti, Cazeaux; Woki, Diaby (c), Higginbotham.

Replacements: Kaulashvili, Maynadier, Tameifuna, Marais, Tauleigne, Gimbert, Jalibert, Uberti.

Outs: Saints: Alex Coles (shoulder), Teimana Harrison (calf), Mikey Haywood (knee), Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi (achilles), Lewis Ludlam (shin), Reece Marshall (concussion), Alex Moon (ankle), Ollie Sleightholme (ankle), Kayde Sylvester (Achilles).

Tom's preview: It's very much a case of out of the frying pan and into the fire for Saints this week.

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Because while they will be hoping a change of scenery will help them end their 10-match losing streak, that new landscape is hardly an easy one to navigate.

Saints have been drawn alongside two of Europe's biggest hitters, Bordeaux and Leinster.

We all know what the Irish side have inflicted on the black, green and gold over the years, and just how formidable and indefatigable they continue to be.

But Bordeaux are hardly a much easier proposition, having topped the curtailed Top 14 last season.

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They possess a pack full of power players and a backline saturated with speed and skill.

So trying to find weakness in either opposition in the coming weeks will not be an easy task.

But with fans finally back at Franklin's Gardens on Friday evening, Saints will be so desperate to put on a show.

And they will hope that extra adrenaline will help them grow a couple of feet as they square up to the French giants.

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In all honesty, expecting Saints to go all the way in Europe this season, or even past the pool stages, would be foolhardy, given they have lost 15 of their past 17 matches in all competitions.

But what can be hoped for is a dose of confidence.

Saints don't necessarily need to win to secure that.

Two impressive showings against two of Europe's most impressive sides would at least give them something to build on.

Because when they return to domestic matters, the pressure really does start to ramp up.

Worcester Warriors, London Irish and Leicester Tigers provide the opposition in the three games that are sandwiched between European action.

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And how vital those encounters seem after three successive defeats at the start of the Gallagher Premiership season.

Saints really don't need to go into them on the back of a couple of big, morale-crushing defeats.

So the next two weeks are vital to provide some sort of belief boost.

Whether that can be achieved remains to be seen, but the return of players like Courtney Lawes and Dan Biggar can only be a good thing.

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Saints saw off Lyon twice in Europe last season, and they will hope to repeat the trick against Bordeaux this time round.

It is a big ask, but how sweet it would be if they can do the first part of that French double in front of their returning fans on Friday evening.

Tom's prediction: Okay, okay, so predicting Saints wins have not been a fruitful business for some time now. But, with some fans back to support the team, and the likes of Courtney Lawes and Dan Biggar in the starting 15, it's time to keep the faith again. Let's go for a narrow Saints success. Saints 26 Bordeaux 23.