Andrews doubtful to face imposing Saints

Northampton, whose season collapsed about their ears in the space of 180 grisly minutes in London and Toulouse, were not in the most charitable of moods when they walloped Bristol on Wednesday night. If the Saints' team sheet for tomorrow's Premiership visit to bottom-placed Newcastle is anything to go by, their temper has not improved one iota.

Ben Cohen, Matthew Dawson and Steve Thompson will start the game, having rested their weary bodies on the bench in midweek, while Paul Grayson has recovered from a virus.

Newcastle have performed like heroes over the last two and a half months but Mark Andrews, a transforming force in their pack since arriving from Springbok country, is struggling with bruised ribs. At least Jonny Wilkinson is close to agreeing a new two-year contract with the Falcons.

Needless to say, there is paranoia a-plenty elsewhere. London Irish have identified tomorrow's home game with Leeds as a real must-win fixture before they travel to face Leicester next week.Meanwhile, Bristol might have at least one game in hand over the other four relegation candidates, but failure to make home advantage count against Wasps tomorrow will leave them contemplating a desperate trip to Saracens on Tuesday week.