Semi draw not swaying Saints
January 25 2010
Jim Mallinder is refusing to look past his squad's quarter-final showdown with Munster despite Northampton's slightly favourable last four draw.
England's last remaining representative in club rugby's top tier will once again meet their Pool rivals in early April before a possible semi-final against either Biarrtiz or the Ospreys becomes the last hurdle separating them from a final in Paris.
The other side of Sunday's draw saw Clermont, Stade Francais, Toulouse and reigning European champions Leinster grouped together in what looks the tougher group of the remaining four.
Yet Director of Rugby, Mallinder believes his side cannot look too far ahead by underestimating the might of Munster in what he believes will be another stern examination in Limerick.
"The Heineken Cup is the toughest competition in club rugby and when you get to the knock-out stages every game is a difficult one," he said, speaking to the club's official website.
"Either Biarritz or the Ospreys would be very difficult opponents for us in what would be a tremendous occasion. It is a great incentive, but there is no point in looking past Munster for the time being, especially because we have first hand experience of playing at Thomond Park and how tough it can be.
"Nevertheless we were satisfied with how we competed on Friday night, especially in the set piece, at the breakdown and in defence. It is an indication of how far we have come in the past two years that we were disappointed we didn't win at a stadium where Munster have lost just once in European competition.
"The quarter final seeding means that we will have a chance to have another go at Munster in a few weeks, which will be another massive game."
It has been an unbelievable turnaround at Franklin's Gardens since their relegation from the Guinness Premiership in 2007. The club's return to England's top flight was promptly followed by a European Challenge Cup title and what an achievement top tier silverware would be for the Saints, with Mallinder doing his best to keep his squad's feet grounded.
"While the Heineken Cup quarter final is something for everyone at the club to look forward to, as a group of players and coaches we cannot get ourselves too carried away," he said.
"We have got to this position by taking every game as it comes and we have to keep doing this."