Saints forwards coach West wary of LV= Cup opponents

Northampton are be aiming to reach a third LV= Cup final in four years, and forwards coach Dorian West says that the games will have to be taken seriously.

“We’ve got some tough matches,” said West.

“Saracens got to the semi-finals last year and Gloucester have a good record in the cup.

“Meanwhile the Madejski Stadium and Rodney Parade are always difficult places to play.

“But we’ve got confidence in the strength of our squad and will be aiming to do well in the LV= Cup, which is competition where we’ve done well in the past few years.”

Although the Saints will be playing Saracens, Gloucester, London Irish and the Dragons, their results will be compared with those of Newcastle, the Scarlets and London Wasps, who are actually in the Saints’ own pool.

2013-14 LV= Cup Pools

Pool 1: Saracens, Gloucester Rugby, London Irish, Newport Gwent Dragons

Pool 2: Leicester Tigers, Exeter Chiefs, Sale Sharks, Cardiff Blues

Pool 3: Harlequins, Bath Rugby, Worcester Warriors, Ospreys

Pool 4: Northampton Saints, London Wasps, Newcastle Falcons, Scarlets

FIXTURES

Round 1 - 8/9/10 November

Northampton Saints v Gloucester Rugby

Round 2 - 15/16/17 November

London Irish v Northampton Saints

Round 3 - 24/25/26 January

Newport-Gwent Dragons v Northampton Saints

Round 4 - 31/1/2 January/February

Northampton Saints v Saracens

Semi-Finals - 7/8/9 March

The pool winner with the best playing record will be at home against the pool winner with the fourth best playing record in Semi-Final 1. The pool winner with the second best playing record will be at home against the pool winner with the third best playing record in Semi-Final 2.

LV= Cup Final - 16 March - Final venue to be confirmed