Chris Ashton scored Northampton's second last weekend © Getty Images

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Matches: Cardiff Blues 19 - 23 Northampton Saints

Tournaments/Tours: Heineken Cup

Teams: Cardiff Blues | England | Northampton Saints | Wales

Northampton Saints travel to face Cardiff Blues at the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday with a place in the Heineken Cup quarter-finals becoming a tangible reality.

The Saints used all of their brute strength to overcome the Blues last weekend, also denying the Amlin Challenge Cup champions a losing bonus-point, and a further loss for the Welsh regions would spell the end of their hopes for this season.

Northampton are three points clear of Castres and eight of the Blues, meaning that this weekend truly is win or bust for Cardiff.

Cardiff Blues - Player to Watch: Tau Filise was given a torrid time by Soane Tong'uiha at the scrum last weekend - the Blues tight-head needs to respond and hold his end up if they are to get their share of the ball.

Cardiff Blues - Team News: There is only one change to the matchday 23 this weekend but it is a big one for the Blues as Jamie Roberts makes his long-awaited return from a wrist injury on the bench.

Northampton - Player to Watch: Courtney Lawes ruled the skies last weekend and put in a good shift around the park - the Blues will target him and he will need to maintain his high level of performance.

Northampton - Team News: Saints boss Jim Mallinder has kept faith in the side that did so well last weekend - meaning a return to Cardiff for ex-Blues scrum-half Ryan Powell, who has again seen off the challenge of Lee Dickson to start.

Key Battle:

Trivia: When they overturned Toulon to become champions of Europe's second tier back in May, the Blues succeeded Northampton as Challenge Cup champions.

Stats: Last weekend's Franklin's Gardens showdown was the fifth between the sides, with the Saints having come out on top in four.

Quote Unquote:

"We have to win. If we don't, we're out of the competition, but also we have to make sure that Northampton leave with nothing." - Cardiff boss Dai Young outlines the extent of their task.

"Cardiff didn't lose at home in Europe last season and will want to keep that record. This means that we will have to be at our best to get a positive result, making sure that we play on the edge but not going over the top." - Saint coach Mallinder tells his players to toe the line

Prediction: Cardiff will hope for a big crowd and a big performance from their pack - but the momentum is with the Saints. Away win.