Saints looking to Glasgow for inspiration to win at Loftus

Having already put 50 on a weakened Vodacom Bulls side in last season’s Investec Champions Cup quarterfinals, English Premiership champions Northampton now head to South Africa to look to do “the double” over the Pretoria side this weekend.

Fresh from a 38-8 win over French side Castres, the Saints are on a mission not to just turn up and compete, but to come to Loftus to win, and have taken Glasgow Warriors' epic win in last season’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship final as their inspiration for the trip.

Franco Smith’s side came back from 13-0 down to beat the Bulls in front of a sell-out crowd and the Saints are hoping that inspiration will be their ally in a fortress where the Bulls have a pretty epic home record, having never lost a Champions’ Cup game in their two years in the competition at home.

Saints coach Phil Dowson sees it as something they can use, but believes there are a lot of factors that will come into play if they are to win in Pretoria.

"We've got a lot of respect for Glasgow," Dowson said. "We played them last year and we know how dangerous they can be.

"We've got to make sure we take our game. We can't just take Glasgow's blueprint but lots of elements of their game we think are relevant and we're hoping we can take those forward."

Dowson added that the Saints are looking to go as strong as possible - a team selection that is likely to see former Bulls captain Burger Odendaal return to the ground where he made his name. But either way, the Saints are looking for a win in Pretoria, and nothing else.

"This is a game we're excited about and we'll go as strong as possible. We take 30, 31 players and I obviously feel for the lads who aren't coming - it's a frustration for them to be left out of such an exciting trip.

"It's a good chance for us to spend some time together and we're a very connected group, very tight so it should be good fun and we hope to get lots out of it."

'BIG CHALLENGE'

Dowson knows the Bulls' aura on their home ground is imposing, but believes that forms part of the challenge.

"They're an exciting side and their home record is excellent so it's a really big challenge for us," Dowson said.

"The journey, the altitude, the fact they've got 17 Springboks in their squad - it's a great challenge for us and we're very excited."

The Saints will name their side for the clash on Friday, but it will be interesting to see if their two South Africans - Odendaal and former Stormers Bok Juarno Augustus - will play for them at Loftus this weekend.