Dylan Hartley is using England’s win against the All Blacks as inspiration ahead of Saints’ trip to Belfast on Saturday.
Skipper Hartley and his Northampton team-mates suffered a 25-6 Heineken Cup humbling at the hands of Ulster at Franklin’s Gardens last Friday night.
They head to Northern Ireland for the reverse fixture knowing only a big win will be enough, with their pool four hopes hanging by a thread.
And Hartley is urging his side to believe they can upset the odds, just as England did by beating world champions New Zealand 38-21 at Twickenham earlier this month.
“No one gave England a chance against the All Blacks did they?,” said the hooker.
“It’s a big thing intensity. We’ve just got to turn up on the day.
“We’re a good enough team and when we do things right, we can beat anyone.”
Ulster dominated proceedings at the Gardens, staking their claim for Heineken Cup glory.
But Hartley believes his men can match last season’s runners-up and feels surrendering possession was Saints’ main sin on Friday.
“We felt under pressure to play and create something, that’s where we lost the ball,” he said.
“But when we did keep the ball, that’s when we got a few penalties.
“We missed a few at goal so if we’d kept the scoreboard ticking over there, things might have... that’s ifs and buts, but when we did keep the ball we were effective.”
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