The Saints head to Coventry seeking a second successive appearance at the EDF Energy Finals Day. But Mallinder knows that the Blues will be a big obstacle to that ambition.

"We played Cardiff in pre-season so we are aware of some of the challenges they will present," he said. "We certainly know that we will have to be at our very best to beat them. They've got top class players in their squad who are household names like Gethin Jenkins and Tom Shanklin as well as plenty of others with lots of experience like Xavier Rush, Paul Tito and Ben Blair. And in Leigh Halfpenny they have one of the best young prospects in British rugby. It will certainly be a massive challenge for us.

"But we have played well in our last few games and with our international players returning we have some selection dilemmas. I've been delighted with the way the internationals have played in the Six Nations, but have also been delighted with how the players who have come into the Saints side have performed. There were certainly several tough decisions over who will play on Saturday.

"Saturday's game is going to be a big occasion for the club as a whole and the supporters in particular. A semi-final is always exciting, especially when there is a Twickenham appearance at stake, and with the Ricoh Arena less than an hour's drive away I'm hoping that as many fans will make the trip and turn the stadium into a sea of black, green and gold."

If you haven't already got your ticket for this great day of matches then don't worry, because they are still available directly from the Ricoh Arena. Just call 0844 873 1883. Car parking will be available on the day priced at £15 in car park C and in the off-site car-parks at £10. Car park tickets can be purchased in advance from http://www.seetickets.com/ and http://www.ricoharena.com/.

Northampton Saints
15 Ben Foden
14 Paul Diggin
13 Joe Ansbro
12 James Downey
11 Bruce Reihana (capt)
10 Stephen Myler
9 Lee Dickson

1 Tom Smith
2 Dylan Hartley
3 Euan Murray
4 Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe
5 Juandre Kruger
6 Neil Best
7 Scott Gray
8 Roger Wilson

Replacements
16 Brett Sharman
17 Soane Tonga'uiha
18 Courtney Lawes
19 Mark Easter
20 Alan Dickens
21 Barry Everitt
22 Chris Mayor