Aviva Premiership semi-final preview: Northampton v Leicester

NORTHAMPTON
Story of the season
For much of the season Saints were the model of muscular consistency losing just one in their first 16 games – away to Gloucester in September and that rich vein of form included a thumping
41-20 win over Saracens, possibly the performance and result of the Premiership season. They also drew 19-19 against old rivals Leicester at Welford Road. Saints' back-up players performed exceptionally well throughout both international windows but, curiously, Northampton began to lose a little momentum after the Six Nations ended with a mini-run of bad form resulting in three consecutive defeats during a tough run of matches – away to Bath, at home to Leicester and away to Saracens. Jim Mallinder's men stopped the rot at home to London Irish with a not entirely convincing 36-21 win over the Exiles and then dogged out a rugged draw at Bath – Saints' second 19-19 score line of the season – before their regular season finale at home to Wasps yesterday.
Stand-outs
Samu Manoa has been immense, Khan Fotuali'i has been on song recently, Courtney Lawes and Luther Burrell more often than not show their England form for Saints, Jamie Elliott is a wonderfully resourceful wing, Ben Foden is beginning to buzz again, Alex Waller is a young prop to reckon with.
Strengths
The sheer physicality of Lawes, Wood, Manoa and Hartley, if playing, can give them an edge against most packs and the Saints rolling maul is a potent weapon. Their defence, in terms of tries conceded, is actually stingier than Sarries. Fotuali'i, Burrell and Foden are dangerous backs and Myler is a proven 85 per cent goal-kicker.
Weaknesses
Can go to sleep for 20 minutes and often fail to go for the jugular. Match their intensity up front and you could be in business.
Play-off pedigree
Have yet to win the play-offs and have never finished top of the regular season table.
If a miracle is needed…
Look to something special from Uncle Sam, their American, Samu Manoa.
Prediction
One of the few teams not frightened by Sarries, but have got to deal with Leicester first? Might fall just short.

LEICESTER
Story of the season
No disguising the fact it has been a struggle at times with a stack of injuries and illnesses, the usual absence of Test players but there were also a number of untypical Tigers performances regardless of who they were unable to put on the field. Leicester lost only one of their first five games – away to Bath – but the November Test window saw consecutive defeats at home to Wasps and away to Quins and hinted at their vulnerability. They picked up a little but on December 21 crashed to a staggering 49-10 defeat against Sarries on their debut at Allianz Park, being outscored five tries to one. It was a seminal moment – news of Toby Flood's departure to France was also breaking and proving a distraction – but Leicester then went to work with a run of eight wins on the bounce and a 27-27 home draw against Bath before their next defeat, away to Harlequins last month. Their resurgence has been impressive and Tigers have arrived at the play-offs in good form. It was ever thus.
Stand-outs
Vereniki Goneva has been a shining light all season and Leicester have fought hard to secure his future services, Julian Salvi has made more tackles than anybody in the Premiership while Logovi'i Mulipola and Ed Slater have spearheaded the effort up front.
Strengths
Their gnarly pack can still squeeze the life out of teams, serious firepower with Goneva and a fit-again Manu Tuilagi roving behind the scrum, the coolness and big match experience of Toby Flood directing affairs at fly-half.
Weaknesses
Leicester's defence is nowhere near what it was and their lineout can misfire. Ben Youngs' form has been a tad erratic, they need him at full gas!
Play-off pedigree
Past masters. Four times winners of the modern play-offs, twice having also topped the regular season table.
If a miracle is needed…
Look for something special from that magical Fijian Vereniki Goneva.
Prediction
Good record against Saints recently and their clash is truly one to savour. If the Leicester pack can match the mighty Saints forwards Tigers' play-off pedigree could see them through to the final.
Northampton: Ben FODEN; Ken PISI, George PISI, Luther BURRELL, George NORTH; Stephen MYLER, Kahn FOTUALI'I; Alex WALLER, Mike HAYWOOD, Salesi MA'AFU; Samu MANOA, Courtney LAWES; Tom WOOD, Phil DOWSON (Capt.), Sam DICKINSON.
Replacements: Ross MCMILLAN, Alex CORBISIERO, Tom MERCEY, Christian DAY, Calum CLARK, Lee DICKSON, James WILSON, Tom STEPHENSON.
Leicester: Mathew Tait; Niall Morris, Manusamoa Tuilagi, Dan Bowden, Vereniki Goneva; Toby Flood, Ben Youngs; Marcos Ayerza, Tom Youngs, Logovi'i Mulipola; Louis Deacon, Ed Slater (Capt.); Jamie Gibson, Julian Salvi, Jordan Crane.
Replacements: Neil Briggs, Tom Bristow, Fraser Balmain, Graham Kitchener, Steve Mafi, David Mele, Owen Williams, Adam Thompstone.