Saints and Racing set for 'belter'
Jim Mallinder says his Northampton Saints 20-9 victory over the Ospreys has set up "a belter of a game" against unbeaten Racing Metro 92 at Franklin's Gardens next weekend.
The Round Six showdown between the two teams – locked on 19 points at the top of the European Cup Pool Five – means it is very much a winner-takes-all occasion.
"We are in a good position with a home game to come," said the Saints Director of Rugby.
"We know what we have to do and it is going to be very exciting.
"We got close over there but came away without any points and we expect a very physical performance from Racing.
"The Castres coaches of old have moved there and we are very familiar with their approach and some of their players, such as Juandre Kruger and Brian Mujati."
While Saints were making it four European wins in a row over the Ospreys, courtesy of George North's sixth try against the Welsh region, Racing were protecting what is now the only remaining unbeaten record in the Champions Cup.
Their 53-7 triumph at home over Benetton Treviso earned them five points and they are now looking forward to reaching the quarterfinals for the first time in their history.
On the game at the Liberty Stadium, in which Saints lost England fullback Ben Foden with a knee injury in the first half, Mallinder said: "We expected a tough battle and so it was.
"They have been going well this season and Racing only got a draw here.
"We are delighted with the result and points – fingers crossed Ben wont be too bad.
"It looked very concerning at the start when he went down but he has been able to put some weight on it in the dressing room and he joined in the post-match singsong so hopefully he is just being a bit cautious."
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