Premiership Big Match Preview - Harlequins v Saracens

Picking out "big games of the weekend" has always been a little tricky.  However, this weekend one match stood out like John Prescott in drag in a Miss USA competition.  Yes, Saracens and Harlequins represent two of the last three winners of the Premiership, but the real reason for this fixture being the standout is the fact that these two sides are playing some seriously sexy rugby.

Quins have had, by their recent standards, a relatively poor start, but their last match against Worcester showed a sparkling return to form in which they demonstrated that vibrant offload game that has torn so many teams apart in the past.  Chris Robshaw, under a stupid amount of pressure for the England captaincy – primarily because of Tom Wood's self-promotion campaign – was magnificent in attack and defence, whilst Nick Easter and Danny Care were dominant around the fringes.  Playing at lightning speed, they are always great to watch.

Sarries may be as well known for playing good rugby as Anne Widdecombe is for her break dancing ability, but this season something has changed.  That brutal power game is still there – led by the Vunipola brothers – but now we have the wingers coming round the corner into the attack and they've started using that front foot ball to ship the ball to their superbly talented backs, who can then attack a retreating defence.  It's a game plan Leicester have patented over the years but, right now, Sarries are executing it better.

Both sides could lay claim to playing 'Total Rugby', so it's easy to call this 'game of the week'.  Picking a winner, on the other hand, is slightly trickier…

 

Harlequins Team News

Harlequins winger Tom Williams will make his 200th competitive appearance for the club in Saturday's Premiership clash with Saracens.  Matt Hopper replaces Sam Smith on the replacements' bench as the only change to the squad that won at Worcester.

Starting Line Up:  Brown; Williams, Lowe, Casson, Monye; Evans, Care; Marler, Buchanan, Collier, Easter, Robson, Fa'asavalu, Robshaw, Guest.

Subs: Ward, Lamber, Sinckler, Merrick, Wallace, Dickson, Botica, Hopper.

Key Player

Joe Marler.  The man who seems unable to maintain a sensible haircut (particularly for a front-rower) has been in strong form in the early stages of the season, and was back to his rampaging best in an all-action display against Worcester last week.  But he will have his work cut out against a ferocious Sarries scrum, with Matt Stevens sure to target him in the set piece – and if Stevens gets tired, there's always James Johnston to bring on.  Lucky Joe.  But the loosehead will be keen to put in a big display at scrum time, not only because parity will be key if Quins are to pose and maintain an attacking threat, but also because he will be up against his England rival Mako Vunipola in front of the keen eyes of coach Stuart Lancaster.

Saracens Team News

Saracens make one change to the side that beat Bath, as Kelly Brown replaces Ernst Joubert in the back row.  Scotland captain Brown will be starting his first game of the season after recovering from an ankle injury.

Starting Line Up: Goode; Ashton, Wyles, Taylor, Strettle; Farrell, Wigglesworth; M. Vunipola, Brits, Stevens, Borthwick, Kruis, Brown, Burger, B. Vunipola.

Subs: George, Auterac, Johnston, Hargreaves, Wray, De Kock, Tagicakibau, Wilson.

Key Player

Billy Vunipola.  Finally shifted to the back of the scrum, where he belongs, the world's largest man (by mass) will be licking his lips at proving a couple of points against England skipper Chris Robshaw, especially if his pack get a rumble on.  We know all about the devastating running ability, but he will need to show brains as well as brawn if he is to shut down the Quins' back row's offloading ability.  A key source of go-forward ball – and therefore critical to Saracens' gameplan, the big Tongan-born English international will be charged with getting his hands on the ball at every opportunity and smashing through the gainline on a regular basis.

Key Battle

Chris Robshaw v Jacques Burger.  I think it's fair to say, from a purely aesthetic point of view, that these two are at opposite ends of the spectrum.  My missus needs a bib when watching Chris Robshaw play, whilst Jacques Burger's face looks like a paper bag that's been run over by a dirt bike in an off-road race.  But, don't let appearances deceive you completely – despite being the more adept at the subtle offloading game, Robshaw is not afraid to get stuck into the dirty work and affect turnovers with his superb technique; Burger, on the other hand, may be renowned for putting his face where most people wouldn't put their feet, but he's also a highly intelligent player with an incredible work rate and a good awareness of space.  The tactical battle between these two at the breakdown and in open play will be fascinating and critical to this game's outcome.

Prediction

If ever the weather had a key role to play in deciding the outcome between two top teams, it's now.  Quins displayed last week that they are still masters of the offloading game and, if the rain holds off, and they can get passes out of the tackle then Sarries, despite their magnificent defence, will have a real battle on their hands.  That's not to say that Saracens have been playing dull, stick it up the jumper rugby though – they are still very much a power team but now they're using the momentum generated to unleash the wide men.  You get the impression though that, if the heavens open, the power game of the men in black will be more productive than the slick hands game of the hosts, and the visitors should win reasonably comfortably.  As it stands, though, it looks relatively dry tomorrow – and that means we should be in for a nail biter.  I'm going for the form side, but there can be no surprise winners in this one.  Saracens by 3.

Northampton Saints v Sale Sharks:  The Sharks have surprised many this season by picking up two wins already, but heading to Franklins Gardens will not be an easy task, despite the hosts losing to Gloucester in controversial circumstances.  Bonus point win for the Saints to get them back, I reckon.  Saints by 18.

Bath v London Irish:  Bath were utterly smashed in the first half against Sarries last week but they don't half look handy at the Rec.  Despite the great form of Marland Yarde, I think that Irish will struggle to contain the quality in the hosts' ranks.  Bath by 12.

London Wasps v Worcester Warriors:  It's hard to believe that Wasps still haven't picked up a win – they've been playing good rugby and have been unlucky to lose their opening 3 games, picking up bonus points in each one.  Worcester looked out of sorts last Friday and it's not going to get easier at Adams Park.  Wasps by 10.

Exeter Chiefs v Leicester Tigers:  Another game which may go right down to the wire, the Chiefs have looked dangerous in patches without stringing together a full 80 minutes.  Despite suffering a horrific list of injuries, this Tigers pack can still dominate physically and it should be enough to grind out a key win.  Tigers by 4.
 

Newcastle Falcons v Gloucester:  Playing away against the geordies is never easy, but Sunday afternoon does take the sting out a little.  Falcons won't give too much away but the Cherry and Whites, buoyed by their dramatic win over Saints last week, should pick up the win.  Gloucester by 9.