George Ford’s shoulder injury that seems certain to require surgery next week means the Bath No10 will be the main target for Northampton in tonight’s Amlin Challenge Cup Final in Cardiff.
The bad news for Ford is that England team-mate Tom Wood has made 77 tackles for Northampton in both the Heineken Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup this season, missing just two. Ford is expected to sit out England’s tour of New Zealand next month and this match offers him a chance to go out with a trophy.
However, the threat posed by the very physical Saints pack — along with powerful backs like Wales wing George North — means Ford (right) could spend most of the contest having to tackle men bigger than his 5ft 9in, 13st frame. That is why the return of Francois Louw, the outstanding South African flanker, is so comforting for Ford and the rest of his team. Louw injured ankle ligaments at end of March and will be short of match fitness but getting him onto the pitch is a major triumph for the medical staff and shows how committed he is.
Northampton director of rugby Jim Mallinder will use his leading players despite having the Premiership Final against Saracens at Twickenham eight days later and that means No10 Stephen Myler joins Wood and North in the line-up along with fit-again England prop Alex Corbisiero. Tom Mercey starts at tight-head in place of the suspended Salesi Ma’afu.
Amlin Challenge Cup Final, Bath v Northampton, tonight, Sky Sports 1, 8pm
