As things stand on the political and logistical fronts, it would come as a blessed relief.Yesterday, Richards confirmed that Leicester players would be made available for the rearranged Six Nations fixture between Ireland and England, whatever the implications for his team's assault on the inaugural end-of-season play-off tournament. There was nothing especially magnanimous about his gesture, however. Only the most freakish mathematical conspiracy can deny the Tigers a place in next season's Heineken Cup - even if Northampton take maximum points today, Leicester will still have two nice little home games in which to secure their top-three finish - so the Great Deano's priorities are already sorted, thank you very much.This afternoon's match does have some spice about it, though. In this age of East Midlands hegemony, Leicester take their short trips down the M1 extremely personally; indeed, this fixture is as personal as club rugby gets. It is not simply about the breakaway contest between Budge Pountney and Neil Back, or the bantamweight motormouth competition between Matt Dawson and Austin Healey, although those one-on-ons are worth the entrance money alone. It is also about the fact that Northampton, for all their inconsistency this season, have something Leicester crave: a European title to their name.Leicester may have the luxury of fielding both first-choice wings this afternoon.

Geordan Murphy, quite the most inventive footballer in British rugby right now and a scandalous omission from the long list of Lions candidates released by Graham Henry last month, will aim to prove yet another point to the selectors, while Freddie Tuilagi is close to shaking off a groin injury after being carried from the field during Tuesday night's defeat of Sale.Northampton, meanwhile, have both Olivier Brouzet, their French international lock, and Craig Moir, their Scotland wing, available for selection. But the real interest surrounds Pat Lam, the Samoan World Cup warrior whose wildly successful career at Franklin's Gardens is being brought to a close against his wishes by the director of rugby, John Steele. Tim Rodber's shoulder problems may result in Lam resuming the captaincy in front of a sell-out crowd. It will be an emotional occasion, and possibly an uncomfortable one for Steele.Further down the table, the logjam building up around eighth place - the cut-off point for play-off qualification - should be relieved by tomorrow's Saracens-London Irish and Newcastle-Sale matches.

Saracens have selected Bill Davison, the former Harlequin, in their second row ahead of Scott Murray. London Irish, meanwhile, have their Test flanker Kieron Dawson back in the 22 after long-term injury.. Tim Henman is still hopeful about his chances at next week's ATP Masters in Indian Wells despite his surprise defeat last night. Tim Henman is still hopeful about his chances at next week's ATP Masters in Indian Wells despite his surprise defeat last night. He was beaten by unseeded Harel Levy in the quarter-finals of the Franklin Templeton Classic in Scottsdale, Arizona.The Briton served seven double faults and managed to put just 44 per cent of his first serves in play as as he lost 6-2 6-4 to the Israeli in only 69 minutes.A disappointed Henman said: "I was up a break and played two poor games, but I feel that I'm hitting well going into Indian Wells."It happens in the men's game There is a lot of that depth on the tour You're a target.