Mallinder and Czekaj ready for challenges
August 13 2008
Northampton Saints boss Jim Mallinder and Cardiff Blues wing Chris Czekaj are both set for respective challenges this week, but with both enjoying their first taste of top-level action for a year.
Mallinder, who has coached the Saints back from Division One to Guinness Premiership status, will be watching nervously as his team faces top French side Clermont in a pre-season friendly in Vichy this coming Saturday.
On Thursday, Czekaj will play his first match since suffering a multiple leg fracture in Wales' 2007 June tour to Australia, when the Cardiff Blues play a pre-season friendly against a Presidents' XV in Pontypridd.
Mallinder's Saints side will take on the team that finished top of the Top 14 table, and contributed to one of the finest finals in recent memory.
"The Top 14 final was played at Test match intensity and Clermont played a full part from start to finish," he said.
"For the last few years they have been right at the top of French rugby...
"We have a squad that features several new players and I am looking forward to seeing them in action for the Saints against top class opposition."
Meanwhile, Leicester have appointed Australian Matt O'Connor as their new backs coach.
The 37-year-old, who has performed coaching roles with ACT Brumbies and Australia A, joins recently-appointed Tigers head coach Heyneke Meyer at Welford Road.