http://www.guinnesspremiership.com/news/13722.php
Northampton Saints today announced the schedule of pre-season fixtures ahead of the 2010/11 campaign.
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The Saints will face four opponents in three weeks, two from the Championship and two from the continent. A trip to Goldington Road to face local rivals Bedford Blues will provide a challenging opening, followed a week later by a return to Capbreton in south-west France to play Dax.
The final two pre-season matches will take place within five days, against Nottingham and Viadana, who will form the basis of one of the Italian teams that will join the 2010/11 Magners League and Heineken Cup.
Director of rugby Jim Mallinder says that the pre-season matches will be an important part of the team's preparation ahead of the Guinness Premiership.
"The pre-season gives us a chance to bed in the new players and try new combinations and tactics," he said. "It is important that we do this against teams that will challenge us in different areas and we have lined up opponents who will do this.
"Bedford and Nottingham are both top Championship sides while Dax, like all French sides, will be tough to beat on their own territory. Meanwhile Viadana will be building towards a Magners League and Heineken Cup campaign.
"We have set a benchmark for ourselves this past season. We want to do better next year and will take all of the pre-season matches seriously to give ourselves some momentum."
The matches against Nottingham and Viadana will be included in the 2010/11 Saints season ticket package.
The pre-season schedule in full (kick off times to be confirmed):
Fri, Aug 13th - Bedford Blues (Goldington Road)
Fri, Aug 20th - Dax (Capbreton)
Mon, Aug 23rd - Nottingham (Franklin's Gardens)
Fri, Aug 27th - Viadana (Franklin's Gardens)
Northampton Saints today announced the schedule of pre-season fixtures ahead of the 2010/11 campaign.
3Share
The Saints will face four opponents in three weeks, two from the Championship and two from the continent. A trip to Goldington Road to face local rivals Bedford Blues will provide a challenging opening, followed a week later by a return to Capbreton in south-west France to play Dax.
The final two pre-season matches will take place within five days, against Nottingham and Viadana, who will form the basis of one of the Italian teams that will join the 2010/11 Magners League and Heineken Cup.
Director of rugby Jim Mallinder says that the pre-season matches will be an important part of the team's preparation ahead of the Guinness Premiership.
"The pre-season gives us a chance to bed in the new players and try new combinations and tactics," he said. "It is important that we do this against teams that will challenge us in different areas and we have lined up opponents who will do this.
"Bedford and Nottingham are both top Championship sides while Dax, like all French sides, will be tough to beat on their own territory. Meanwhile Viadana will be building towards a Magners League and Heineken Cup campaign.
"We have set a benchmark for ourselves this past season. We want to do better next year and will take all of the pre-season matches seriously to give ourselves some momentum."
The matches against Nottingham and Viadana will be included in the 2010/11 Saints season ticket package.
The pre-season schedule in full (kick off times to be confirmed):
Fri, Aug 13th - Bedford Blues (Goldington Road)
Fri, Aug 20th - Dax (Capbreton)
Mon, Aug 23rd - Nottingham (Franklin's Gardens)
Fri, Aug 27th - Viadana (Franklin's Gardens)
