Newcastle v Northampton: Saints must address ‘top two inches’ to beat Falcons
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 02: Falcons player George Wacokecoke makes a break during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Newcastle Falcons and Wasps at Kingston Park on October 02, 2021 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Northampton Saints captain Lewis Ludlam claims that it's the ‘top two inches' that are the missing ingredients they must fix going into Saturday's game against Newcastle Falcons at Kingston Park.
The Saints come into the game off back-to-back defeats to Harlequins and Saracens which has slipped them down to sixth in the table.
Despite last week's 30-6 heavy loss to Sarries, Ludlam is adamant the Saints' squad possesses more than enough quality needed to push for a Premiership play-off place.
He told the club website: “It was a really tough result to swallow. It's really easy to hang your hat on effort, but it's the same message in the past three games, in terms of not being good enough at the top two inches.
“We haven't switched on in periods of the game, and once a team like Sarries gain momentum on you, it's really hard to get control back.
“There's something to be optimistic about but we've got to learn our lessons really quickly.”
Saints No.8 Teimana Harrison returns from injury with Tom Wood coming in at flanker, while David Ribbans is recalled alongside Api Ratuniyarawa in the second row.
Fraser Dingwall and Tom Collins replace Piers Francis and Ollie Sleightholme in the backs.
Scrum half Alex Mitchell said: “Newcastle are obviously a solid outfit with a big pack and set-piece, so we'll have to deal with that on Saturday.
“If we put our shape onto them and our performance, we'll actually get some points and come back with a victory – it's always a good place to win, up there.”
Dean Richards' Falcons lie in eighth in the table after five wins, five losses and one draw but backs his side to beat anyone on their patch.
He told the club website: “We like being on our pitch, and even though the weather has been a bit lively during the week, the forecast for the weekend is actually not too bad.
“Northampton are a good side, and you can't take anything away from them. They love to play their rugby, they'll be a tough proposition but at the same time we're competitive against anybody on our own patch.”
The Falcons come into the game off the back of a 31-0 shutout defeat away to Leicester Tigers.
