Skosan: We need to get flying start
COURTNALL Skosan is banking on fortress Franklin’s to help Northampton Saints scratch a 22year European itch.
The wing is chomping at the bit to show off his powerful running skills on the Champions Cup stage and knows it is about time the club lifted the trophy once again.
Saints face a tough opener to their campaign with a visit to holders La Rochelle on Saturday knowing just how crucial it is to get off to a flying start with teams having so few pool games to try and qualify for the knockout stages.
Skosan was only nine when Saints beat Munster 9-8 in a gruelling Heineken Cup final in 2000. They missed out so agonisingly to Leinster in Cardiff 11 years ago and the Gardens faithful will be praying their heroes can put that record straight.
The South African said: “I would always back us against anyone we play, especially at home. Any opposition coming to Franklin’s know what they are up against. It is always an amazing experience here, especially for big European games. We have the best supporters at a a noisy, passionate and packed stadium with a beautiful pitch.
“The fans will come out in their numbers to support us and, hopefully, we can make them proud. It is time we did so.
“We have a fairly young side which has had ups and downs this season. We have some things to work on but we have an environment here where if you don’t work hard and train hard you may not be in the squad. We are bringing some great players through who have broken into the England squad. Hopefully, we can continue to do so and get more of them recognised by their countries.”
Skosan insists Saints will be fully fired up for their trip to Stade Rochelais and will have nothing to fear, adding: “This is one of the biggest competitions in the world and you have to give it the respect it deserves because you are playing against quality sides all the time. Some teams have hundreds of Test caps running through them so you know what you are up against.
“We have a vision and if you don’t think about winning trophies, you are in the wrong place. We believe in what we are doing and need to keep doing so to get us over the line in Europe.
“If we can put together a consistent run of 80-minute performances which can get us to the knockout stages then anything can happen. It will be challenging for us but we accept that challenge.”