Heineken Cup 2014: Castre a big game for Saints, admits Stephen Myler

The Saints’ qualification for the Heineken Cup quarter finals may be in other teams’ hands, but Stephen Myler says that the team still has to look after what it can control, which this week means getting a win over Castres.

The French champions may have been knocked out of Europe by Leinster’s win at the Stade Pierre Antoine, but there is still plenty for the Saints to play for after the 29-17 win over the Ospreys.

At the moment a place in the Amlin Challenge Cup quarter finals is still within the Saints’ grasp, and were either Leinster to lose at home to the Ospreys, or Saracens to be upset by Connacht, then a spot in the Heineken Cup knockout stages could be a possibility.

But first of all the Saints need to make sure they win against Castres, which makes Myler appreciate how big a game it will be against the Top 14 title holders.

“It definitely is,” Myler said after kicking 12 points at the Liberty Stadium. “Castres are the French champions and we know it’s going to be a tough test. Whatever situation comes after next week’s game is beyond our control.

“Heineken Cup qualification is not in our hands, but we can look after what we can control and that’s next Friday’s game. Then we’ll see where that takes us.

“The important thing is that we keep the momentum going which we’ve built recently over the Festive period, keep pushing forward and aiming to improve.”