The last two weeks have seen a break from the English domestic league as the Heineken Cup has got underway.

Among other things, this meant a return to action for the Sky commentary team - which in turn means an exemplar of how to torture sporting clichés.

It's one of those clichés that I'm going to focus on here (though hopefully not torturously) - "momentum is key".

Last Friday's agonising defeat to Toulouse will have brought Sarries crashing down to earth.

After conquering all in their path in the Premiership, this was a sharp reminder that we have not solved our inability to play with composure in high-pressure encounters.

The loss of possession from a driving maul in the attacking 22, with just minutes left on the clock, was criminal - and that decision for a drop-goal wasn't far behind.

They both represented the polar opposite of another popular soubriquet, "heads in the freezer".

But as Mark McCall will philosophically (and rightly) point out, this game is all about learning from your mistakes rather than dwelling on them.

And a top-of-the-table clash at Franklin's Gardens is not a bad arena to start that process.

It is not an easy result to predict, given that both sides are so frustratingly deprived of their best English players.

Nor is it easy to tell how much emphasis Sarries will be putting on the result (other than a general sporting desire to win).

Their place at the top of the Premiership table is secure in any event, and the Saints are in at least as good form as the Men in Black, and they have a reputation for being one of the most miserly hosts in the league.

I suspect the greater focus will be on re-gathering momentum in terms of our performance.

Poor ball retention and missed tackles were too often a feature of our play against Toulouse; the scrum was a problem area; and our first-half discipline was dire.

If these errors can be rectified, while maintaining the same warrior-like attitude in defence, and good attacking speed in the back-line, then the result will probably follow - but that is of secondary importance.

With the younger squad members due to get their opportunity during the LV= Cup, and after that another crucial block of Premiership games, momentum does need to be regained quickly.

Another intriguing sub-plot this weekend is the likely contest between Luther Burrell and Duncan Taylor in the 12 position - two of the most promising centres in the British Isles.

The Saintsman has added guile and poise to his previous tree-tearing ritual and has rightly been awarded a place in Stuart Lancaster's EPS.

Taylor, meanwhile, had yet another stand-out performance against Toulouse's star-studded midfield: his assurance and purpose in both attack and defence mark him out as a player with a big future.

This duel is just one attraction of what will be a defining contest for both sides.