Wood is fired up by violent history of derby
TOM WOOD revealed last night that Northampton have been fired up for today’s visit of rivals Leicester by watching a highlights reel of the history of the fixture.
It will be the 244th East Midlands derby with the Tigers having won the lion’s share – 136 to the Saints’ 88.
“We all try to pretend it’s just another game,” said Wood, England’s 50-cap flanker. “We say those things but it’s not – it’s an epic occasion.
“This week we’ve played a highlights reel. The amount of fights, drama and controversy… there have been some monumental occasions, drama and spice from top to toe.
“Dylan Hartley has been red-carded twice, both in the first half, Manu Tuilagi was banned for punching Chris Ashton in a semi-final we lost and Salesi Ma’afu was sent off for punching Tom Youngs in a semi-final we won.
“Then there was the game when Ashton dragged Alesana Tuilagi into touch by his hair, it all kicked off and I ended up getting red-carded. I love these occasions. I thrive in that environment, feeling you’ve got an axe to grind the whole time.”
The Saints are joint top of the Premiership, Leicester one off the bottom due only to Saracens’ 35-point deduction.
“This could be a seasondefining game for the Tigers,” said Wood. “It could springboard them and derail us if we don’t get things right. We’ve got to be right on our mettle.”
Leicester star Ben Youngs is desperate for his club to avoid the relegation dogfight of last season, which went almost to the final day. “It was a horrible feeling, looking over your shoulder worried and looking at all the other results, trying to predict what might happen, the ifs and buts,” said Youngs. “Believe me, it was no fun for anyone.”
He warned that it would be a “huge mistake” to assume Saracens will fill the one relegation spot and says, while he is out of contract next summer, he is committed to returning the Tigers to the top.
“I very much feel a sense of responsibility,” said the England scrum-half.
“But I’m realistic that it will take time.”