Saints prepared for trip into unknown

Northampton will be prepared for the “different problems” posed by Heineken Cup opponents when they switch their attention from domestic to European business tomorrow night.

Last season’s Heineken Cup quarter-finalists face a Pool One opener against French challengers Castres at Franklin’s Gardens.

Fit-again England wing Chris Ashton has given Saints a boost by returning to the starting XV, and Northampton are determined to make an immediate statement of intent in a group that also includes Cardiff Blues and Edinburgh.

“Playing in Europe gives you the opportunity to come up against new sides, and this is what we will be doing when we play Castres tomorrow night,” said Northampton rugby director Jim Mallinder.

“It has given the players something new to focus on as Castres will pose us different problems to what we have faced in the Premiership so far.

“They have beaten some big teams like Toulouse this season, and their coaches have put together a very strong outfit.

“They have some big ball carriers in the back-row and a fast back line that likes to move the ball.

“We have been working hard on every aspect of our game this week, and everyone in the squad has put in the effort to try and get selection in the team.”

Ashton, skipper Dylan Hartley, prop Brian Mujati and flanker Tom Wood are all back on duty following last weekend’s 27-21 win against Premiership newcomers Exeter.

While Northampton prepare for a degree of the unknown against Castres, four Magners League sides go head-to-head in tomorrow night’s two other Heineken Cup encounters.

Ulster host newly-established Italian side Aironi in Pool Four, with Pool Six rivals Glasgow and Newport Gwent Dragons meeting at Firhill.

The Dragons have already beaten Glasgow in league combat this term, and Warriors captain Ali Kellock knows his team cannot afford a repeat result, especially given the group’s other teams – Heineken Cup holders Toulouse and former European champions Wasps.

“It has been shown in past years that league results mean very little when it comes to the Heineken Cup,” said Kellock, who misses the Dragons opener while he recovers from a shoulder injury.

“We have shown over the last few years that we can be competitive, so we know the challenge is to prove we can also be consistent.”

Premiership clubs Gloucester and Sale Sharks make their Amlin Challenge Cup entry tomorrow night, with Gloucester visiting Agen and Sale hosting Spanish side Cetransa El Salvador.

Gloucester, buoyed by recent Premiership wins against Wasps and Bath, recall full-back Olly Morgan and hand first starts of the campaign to wing Tom Voyce and centre Henry Trinder against a side currently propping up the French Top 14 table.

“Your home games are your marker, but you have to be really smart to pick up away wins,” said Gloucester head coach Bryan Redpath.

“We have to build on what we’ve produced over the past couple of weekends in the Premiership to give ourselves the best possible chance of a good start in this competition.

“It will be tough. It’s an intimidating place to play, and they will be physical.”

Fly-half Charlie Hodgson continues his Sale comeback after shoulder surgery at Edgeley Park, but Sale go into battle without skipper James Gaskell, who faces at least two months out of action with ankle ligament trouble.