Mallinder expects tough final

Northampton director of rugby Jim Mallinder looked forward to next Sunday's LV= Cup final against Gloucester after seeing his team sink Saracens in the last four.

Saints ran in four tries in their 31-20 win to set up a a date with the Cherry and Whites at Worcester's Sixways Stadium. Northampton are second in the Guinness Premiership, five places and 20 points ahead of their opponents next weekend, but Mallinder insists a cup success for his club is no gimme.

Mallinder said: "It's going to be a hard game. They have improved massively since the start of the season and they will go in fancying themselves to beat us."

He added: "And we don't know who will be available because I noticed England picked up some injuries yesterday, both up front and out wide which could affect players we have available.

"We'll have to wait and see."

Saints' dreams of the treble remain intact - they are the only English team in quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup - and Mallinder hopes his squad can hold up as the fixtures come thick and fast.

"Only time will tell how we manage in the three competitions," he said.

"But I've told my players we want to have our holidays in the summer, not in the middle of the season, as a number of clubs are having at this moment."

Mallinder was happy with his team's opportunism when they created chances and also their dominance at scrum-time.

He added: "We like to play and we moved the ball well when we had the opportunity. I'm delighted with the win."

Date published : 15 Mar 201015:14:08

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