EDF Cup Powers Up for Round 1

By Jonjo
September 29 2006

Jonjo takes a look at Round 1 (or the first group game) of the EDF Cup, Saracens making the short trip down the M4 to Reading, home of the wind turbine and premiership football.

Saturday’s match against London Irish marks the start of the Anglo Welsh Cup. How seriously will everyone take it? Sarries have taken the opportunity to give a start to a number of players who have been on the bench or out of the squad in Ben Broster, Tom Ryder and Paul Gustard; we get our first look at Kameli the Saracen in his preferred role as centre and welcome back Richard Haughton from injury. This seems to me to be a sensible balance between resting players and going all out for a win. This competition must rank third after the Premiership and the European Cup. The rewards for winning the cup are considerable, but to do that we have to get past ALL the other premiership clubs AND the 4 Welsh sides as well. In the early pool stages some clubs will no doubt be putting out slightly weaker sides – as we are – but this will surely change in the knock-out rounds.

As far as the players on the field are concerned, I think they will be giving everything. People like Tom Ryder are incredibly competitive and want the regular 1st team place, and they will only get it by performing well on the pitch.

Andy Farrell will be looking to get some real mileage under his belt, both from the match fitness point of view and from the aspect of gaining practical experience in his new position. The question waiting for a defining answer is, is 6 the right position? I think a flanker who can play centre, or a centre who can play at 6, who can run, pass and kick as well as tackle, has tremendous potential in attack as well as defence. I am sure that it will not take Faz too long to become a master at his trade.

Perhaps one of the more interesting discussion points is the appointment of Yates as Captain. Will we see the poacher turn gamekeeper? Or will we see the new captain collect a 10 minute rest? This could be a topic for a new poll!

As far as team tactics are concerned, Irish have named a strong team. With Delon Armitage and Sailosi Tagicakibau on the wings, and the well-known predatory prowess of the Irish line-out, there is little point in kicking deep. Irish have demonstrated their appetite for counter-attacking from anywhere on the field. Testing the light-weight Armitage under the high ball when we can put him under pressure from the chase is one option, as is the use of a grubber, which always has the potential for a wicked bounce and consequent knock-on. The back rows will be an important battle-ground with Faz, Sprout and ex-LI Guzzie no doubt expecting a very warm reception from ex-Sarrie Roche, Magne and Leguizamon.

The hope must be to see some great running rugby: the risk is that all we will see is a penalty war. Saracens to win by 5.

Saracens
Kevin Yates (capt), Shane Byrne, Ben Broster, Hugh Vyvyan, Tom Ryder, Andy Farrell, Ben Russell, Paul Gustard, Mosese Rauluni, Glen Jackson, Rodd Penney, Ben Johnston, Kameli Ratuvou, Richard Haughton, Dan Scarbrough.
Substitutes: Fabio Ongaro, Tom Mercey, Kris Chesney, David Seymour, Neil de Kock, Alex Goode, Kevin Sorrell.

London Irish
Neal Hatley (capt), Robbie Russell, Richard Skuse, Nick Kennedy, James Hudson, Kieran Roche, Olivier Magne, Juan Leguizamon, Michael Horak, Delon Armitage, Gonzalo Tiesi, Riki Flutey, Sailosi Tagicakibau, Barry Everitt, Richie Rees.
Substitutes: Tonga Lea'aetoa, Danie Coetzee, Phil Murphy, Aidan McCullen, Steffon Armitage, Shane Geraghty, Justin Bishop
Ref : Bruce Robertson