Preview: Northampton vs Racing 92

Preview: Northampton vs Racing 92
Northampton vs Racing 92 (19:45) BT Sport

Northampton welcome Racing 92 to Franklin Gardens off the back of a disappointing defeat in Paris last weekend.

Racing were the dominant side last week in a 33-3 win in Paris last Saturday, with
Racing 92 keeping their undefeated record in three matches against the Saints. 

Saints have lost their last four Champions Cup games against French opposition, the defeats coming by an average scoreline of 31-7.

Northampton's three points last weekend was their lowest total in a European fixture. 

Jim Mallinder has made 4 changes to the side, Stephen Myler comes in for JJ Hanrahan and Samoan pair Ahsee Tuala and George Pisi both back in the Saints back line. Jamie Gibson is the only change in the forwards, he comes back into the fold in the back-row, pushing Courtney Lawes back into the lock position.

Lawes said Saints will have to be on top form against Racing 92. After a promising start in Paris last Saturday, Saints conceded two quick-fire tries which put them on the back foot and eventually suffered a heavy defeat.

And Lawes feels there cannot be a repeat of that in the return leg.

“Racing is a team full of quality players,” he explained. 

“You’ve got to front up and be physical, and they were and we were last week. There were a few bruised and battered bodies this week, but we’ll recover and be ready for Friday.

“We know that what we did last Saturday wasn’t good enough. People want to see something different and we need to come out firing.”

Racing have won seven and drawn one of their last nine matches in the Champions Cup, losing only once - by one point to Saracens in last season's quarter-final at Stade Yves-du-Manoir. 

Racing are undefeated in their last four matches away from home in the Champions Cup (W3, D1) and they have named an unnamed XV that beat the Saints last week.

The only change in Racing's matchday squad is amongst the replacements where Marc Andreu comes in for Alexandre Dumoulin as backline cover.

Racing have the best defence in the competition so far, having conceded an average of 7.5 points per game. 

Racing have won three and lost two of five away games against English opposition in the European Cup. 

Two of Racing's biggest wins in Champions Cup history have come against Northampton, with their 30-point margin of victory last weekend only bettered by a 53-7 win over Benetton Treviso last season. 

Prediction: Racing 92 by 6. Racing have a superb record against the Saints and last year they were taught a lesson in their own backyard. Will be closer this time out but Racing should win.

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