Smith hopes for more Cup of cheer

Northampton prop Tom Smith has demanded Saints once again cast aside the shackles of their dismal league form when they meet Wasps in tomorrow’s Heineken Cup semi-final.

Saints have crept through to the last four of club rugby’s greatest prize to leave them just two victories short of seizing their second European crown.

They produced one of the greatest upsets in the competition’s history to stun heavily fancied Biarritz 7-6 in the quarter-finals, but domestically they are on the brink of disaster.

With just one game left to play in the regular Guinness Premiership season, they lie one point behind 11th-placed Worcester.

The contrasting fortunes mean Saints could experience the high of booking a place in the Heineken Cup final just six days before being relegated to National One.

However, Smith is confident the squad are moving in the right direction following a nightmare spell at Franklin’s Gardens and knows their growing confidence will be essential at the Ricoh Arena tomorrow.

“We’re not short on belief. The enjoyable thing about this Heineken Cup run has been that the matches are just one-off games,” said the former Scotland prop.

“They have given us a break from the league, allowing us to go out and express ourselves.

“The league is obviously, especially in our situation, completely different.

“One of the underlying themes throughout the build-up to the Biarritz game was that the most important thing to do was to enjoy ourselves, express ourselves and play for each other.

“There was no league position to worry about, no bonus point to worry about, it was just a case of going out there and doing it.

“The knockout aspect of the Heineken Cup has called for a different mentality.

“I’m not sure if there’s less pressure, it’s more a change of focus because of the change of scenery.

“We know we haven’t played to our potential. It’s disappointing to say that so far into the season, but we are improving.”

Smith admits fear of losing has impacted on Saints’ Premiership form but believes improving conditions will aid their cause over the crucial seven-day period.

“In some games in the league we’ve gone in front and then become defensive by trying to protect the lead, rather than carry on playing and do what comes naturally,” he said.

“Hopefully with the pitches hardening up, the conditions will be more conducive to playing how we want to play.”

Smith insists he will remain at Franklin’s Gardens next season even if Saints fail to stave off relegation.

“Absolutely I’ll be here if we go down. I’m a 35-year-old prop with a dodgy back and a few aching limbs,” he said.

“It’s fair to say my phone isn’t ringing off the hook, but I’m happy where I am and I will be here next season.

“This is a big club, a good club and a nice place to work although we’ve had our ups and downs.”

Former All Black Carlos Spencer has recovered from his ankle injury and starts at fly-half while Robbie Kydd returns at inside centre and Bruce Reihana switches to full-back.

Argentinian Matias Cortese comes in at hooker with Dylan Hartley unavailable for selection after being cited for allegedly making contact with the eye areas of three Wasps players at Adams Park last Sunday.

Wasps, who won that Premiership encounter 35-29, have dropped Josh Lewsey, opting instead for a back three of Mark van Gisbergen, Paul Sackey and Tom Voyce.

At fly-half Danny Cipriani starts even though the more experienced Alex King is fit.

Saracens, who yesterday confirmed the signing of New Zealand’s star second row Chris Jack, have made three changes for tomorrow’s European Challenge Cup semi-final against Bath at Vicarage Road with hooker Shane Byrne and props Cobus Visagie and Nick Lloyd returning to the side.

Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu starts at outside centre for Bath with Chev Walker dropping to the bench while in the pack Zak Feaunati returns to number eight in place of Jonny Faamatuainu.

End