Aviva Premiership Big Match Preview - Saracens v Harlequins

Well, after a nice two month jolly into the glamorous world of international rugby, it’s a heartening splat down to earth in England as we head back to mud-filled brawls and day-to-day grind of the Aviva Premiership.  Or at least that’s what you might think.  The reality is that the Premiership threw up a couple of fantastic rounds of rugby whilst the snoozefest that was the Six Nations was grabbing all the headliners, with all the sides chucking in at least one sharp and entertaining performance, with even Saracens (who usually have an allergy to 5 pointers) ripping it up with a couple of storming bonus point wins.  Although should be pointed out that Sale haven’t  (they’ve remained uninspired and awful ) and yet they’ve been bumped up the ladder after plucky new boys London Welsh were deducted 5 points for fielding an unregistered player, although they have a rogue team manager to thank for that, a man who seemed to think that his job entailed passport forgery and lying to everyone.  Complete madness.

But sitting pretty at the top of the pile are Saracens.  Perhaps it’s the reinvigoration of actually having a home ground (albeit made of plastic or something), or maybe because the spotlight was off them, but Sarries have been playing some superb rugby over the last few rounds – fast-paced, physical and clinical – with their youngsters, in the shape of Will Fraser and Ben Ransom, leading the way.  Three bonus point wins on the spin – including a magnificent away thumping of Leicester – has put them in pole position for a home quarter final come playoff time, and they will take some stopping.

Exciting youngsters and bonus point wins is meant to be the mantle of LV=Cup Champions Harlequins, who are fresh off the back of a great win in the cup final of the tournament nobody could less about.  In fairness though, it was their youngsters who led the way, but there’s a couple who have been pushed to the side to make way for the big boys this weekend – which is understandable, if a little deflating.  But after a shock home defeat to Exeter, this game has become even more important, with there being a genuine risk that Sarries will move out of sight should they not win and, even worse, they may lose their home quarter final spot should Leicester win in Exeter.  With key players returning from England though, they’ll be doubly determined to make sure this doesn’t happen.

 

Saracens Team News

A third successive sell-out at Sarries' new home sees Alex Goode, Chris Ashton, Brad Barritt, Owen Farrell and Mako Vunipola all return to the starting line-up after Six Nations duty with England while Scotland captain Kelly Brown is also back in the side.  Farrell starts the game at fly-half which sees Charlie Hodgson among the replacements. He is joined on the bench by John Smit, Neil de Kock and Chris Wyles.

Starting Line up:  15 Alex Goode, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Joel Tomkins, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 David Strettle, 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Richard Wigglesworth, 8 Ernst Joubert, 7 Will Fraser, 6 Kelly Brown, 5 Alistair Hargreaves, 4 Steve Borthwick (capt), 3 Matt Stevens, 2 Schalk Brits, 1 Mako Vunipola

Subs: 16 John Smit, 17 Rhys Gill, 18 Petrus du Plessis, 19 George Kruis, 20 Jackson Wray, 21 Neil de Kock, 22 Charlie Hodgson, 23 Chris Wyles

Key Player

Joel Tomkins.  The League convert is growing into a powerful player game by game, and his improvements in his physicality and offloading skills on the gain line have gone hand in hand with the improvements in Saracens attacking game.  If the big northerner gets rumbling, then we may see Sarries get some points – and who knows, maybe even Chris Ashton will score.

 

Harlequins Team News

Mike Brown, Danny Care, Joe Marler and captain, Chris Robshaw all return from England duty to start for the defending champions.  In the pack, Joe Gray is named at hooker, while Charlie Matthews starts in the second row with George Robson.  Ugo Monye and Sam Smith start on the wings, with Matt Hopper and Jordan Turner-Hall partnering in the centres.

Starting Line up:  15 Mike Brown, 14 Ugo Monye, 13 Matt Hopper, 12 Jordan Turner-Hall, 11 Sam Smith, 10 Nick Evans, 9 Danny Care, 8 Nick Easter, 7 Chris Robshaw (capt), 6 Tom Guest, 5 George Robson, 4 Charlie Matthews, 3 James Johnston, 2 Joe Gray, 1 Joe Marler

Subs: 16 Rob Buchanan, 17 Mark Lambert, 18 Will Collier, 19 Maurie Fa'asavalu, 20 Luke Wallace, 21 Karl Dickson, 22 Ben Botica, 23 George Lowe

Key Player

Nick Evans.  The masterful fly half has been given the nod over Ben Botica, which isn’t entirely surprising for such a big game, but the younger of the 2 Kiwis has been in scintillating form for Quins so far.  Evans, for the first time since his arrival, has suffered a little bit from inconsistency, especially off the tee, and he will need to be at his dead-eyed best if they are to snatch a win from the Premiership leaders.

Key Battle

Ernst Joubert v Nick Easter.  These two number 8s will have to be at their abrasive best if they want to get the upper hand on Sunday.  With back rows pretty quick, the number 8s will be tasked with a lot more hard carries than normal to suck in as many defenders as possible.  This is an area where Easter should have the advantage – in the close exchanges – so Joubert will have to make sure he dominates his collisions to give his side the same front foot ball that Quins will get off their number 8.

Prediction

I’m hoping for an entertaining game with a lot of free-flowing rugby from two sides with players who know their way to the try line.  Given current form and home advantage, I think Sarries might just nick this – but not by much.  Saracens by 4.

What else is happening across sunny England?

 

Sale Sharks v Bath:  Friday nights in Sale are always a wretched affair, but this Bath side has looked pretty decent of late.  A critical game for the home side but I can see the visitors snatching a win.  Bath by 7.

Gloucester v London Welsh:  The Exiles will be hoping that all the off-field drama doesn’t affect their game, but I suspect they will be slightly distracted by it.  Regardless of that though, the Cherry and Whites will be too strong at home.  Gloucester by 20.

London Irish v Worcester Warriors:  Worcester have struggled a bit of late but Irish haven’t set the world alight either.  That said, Irish have a great chance to put some distance between themselves and the drop zone, and I think they’ll take it.  Irish by 7.

London Wasps v Northampton Saints:  A key game in the battle for 4^th place and a Heineken cup game, this one could go either way.  I’m going to go for a narrow win for the home side in a game which could be a cracker.  Wasps by 3.

Exeter Chiefs v Leicester Tigers:  Leicester travel to their bogey ground to face a side that grabbed a sensational win over Quins in their last outing.  I think that, this time, Leicester may just have a few too many aces up their sleeve now their internationals are back.  Tigers by 6.