Calum Clark back at old stomping ground for inaugural Cup final
CALUM Clark clearly still has a soft spot for Franklin’s Gardens but he hopes to upset the locals today by inspiring Saracens to another piece of silverware.
The flanker is delighted to see Northampton climb out of their recent slump and start showing signs of returning to the kind of form that made them trophy contenders during his time as a Saint.
However, the 29-year-old former England man insists it will be serious business when he and Sarries arrive to try and spoil Northampton’s “home” final and drive off with the season’s first piece of silverware.
Saracens are confident their impressive and talened mix of youth and experience can come out on top and kick-start what they hope will be another highly profitable final few months of the season.
Clark, who enjoyed plenty of success during his 147 games for Saints before moving to Allianz Park two years ago, said: “There have been a lot of changes at the club since I was there and over the last year or so they have had a huge culture shift. They went through a real sticky patch and there was a change of management and a lot of players have come and gone.
“It seems like what they did to improve things has worked. They are going well on the field in terms of results and they have managed to blood some younger guys who have taken their opportunities well.
“Franklin’s Gardens remains one of my favourite places to play. The pitch is usually in great condition and the newly developed stadium has a really good feel about it. It may be newer but there is still a nice old style rugby crowd there who make it a special atmosphere. I expect they will create a decent noise on Sunday.
“It’s quite unusual to play a Cup final at someone’s home stadium but the last two games we’ve played in this competition have been away from home so that’s good preparation.”
Sarries also have the psychological edge having comfortably overcome Saints in a recent Premiership clash at Allianz Park. And even though the champions have hit a bit of a flat spell with two defeats on the road sandwiching that Northampton win, Clark is not concerned.
He insists: “The makeup of our team is different for the Cup so you cannot compare it with how we are playing in the Premiership. It’s been a good competition for us so far and it will be a huge challenge.”
Sarries have nine players from their academy starting the final with a further four on the bench.
The tournament’s breakthrough player nominees Matt Gallagher and Tom Whiteley line-up in the backs, and Joel Kpoku has returned from England U20s duty to slot in at lock.