Dare to Dream

This fourth semi-final in a row neatly charts the progress of Saracens over the last few seasons. Reprising their 2008 semi defeat to Munster, five seasons later they were edged out at Twickenham by a highly-fancied Toulon side, but were very much the underdogs. Fast forward a year to the same venue, and the stunning demolition of ASM Clermont Auvergne, a side sometimes found wanting in their mental toughness confirmed Sarries' emergence as one of the European powerhouses, only for them to be thwarted by Toulon in Cardiff in the last Heineken Cup Final. Clermont gained revenge a season later in France, but Sarries are now cast as clear favourites to triumph in Lyon, given their aptitude for the big knock-out games, given results in Paris and Northampton last season, and of course, in the Premiership final. So, there is little to suggest that the burden of expectation will hinder a side not lacking in self-belief and confidence in their adaptability and gameplan. 

 

If this has been a steady journey towards what might be the ultimate prize, and the time does indeed prove to be "now", then it couldn't be in starker contrast to Wasps' recent seasons. And a dramatic transformation of fortunes for which Dai Young deserves great recognition, but also a reminder how sport can be cyclical, given the Trophy laden period ended with the Premiership win in 2008, and four seasons later they were fighting relegation and finishing 11th. With the move to Coventry providing a shot in the arm, a top-flight European place was gained last season, and they progressed from the European pool with style. However, it took time for the Midlands side to take some stunning form in Europe, featuring stunning wins at Leinster and at home to Toulon, as well as a big win at Bath, into the Premiership. Which brings us onto....

 

It's been a little over two months since THAT humiliation at Allianz Park, when a scintillating Wasps display yielded eight tries, in a match in which then made over 550 metres, had 14 line breaks and saw the hosts miss 29 tackles. Admittedly, the number of players missing on Six Nations duty means that result will serve more as a motivational tool to put things right, rather than something to worry about too much. That said, the Wasps running game is delivering a style of play which is bettered by none in the Premiership at the moment, allied to a fighting spirit, not to mention the mental toughness of Jimmy Gopperth to nail the match-winning kick which brought a win over Exeter in the closing moments of the Quarter Final, overturning a 13 point deficit in the last quarter to win 25-24. 

 

Since their trip to NW4, Wasps have won eight out of nine matches, timing their run with perfection, and the habit of the sides of old, to close in on a top two finish. Their next game brought a 24-13 win at Bath, showing that they could edge the tighter games too, before crushing Harlequins 42-10 at Coventry in conditions ideally suited to their attacking game - much has been said about how Sarries' forwards and backs are equally comfortable with ball in hand - in this game Wasps demonstrated this ability too. The next game spoilt the sequence, as much like Sarries' win in Coventry, Gloucester starved the visitors of territory and earnt a 13-10 win. The "new" derby with Leicester Tigers proved to be the perfect "pick me up" as a 36-24 home win was claimed, and then followed up by a 39-12 home success against Sale Sharks. The trip to Newcastle was negotiated with a 34-20 win, before a modest display, in which the lineout struggled, was still enough to serve up a 28-6 home win against Northampton Saints ahead of that dramatic Quarter Final win against Exeter. They warmed up for the Madejski Stadium encounter by winning 54-35 at Worcester, as Christian Wade helped homself to six tries, equalling a Premiership record. 

 

Saracens, then, face a formidable challenge, the most dangerous backline in the tournament, full of craft and pace, as well as a back row of George Smith, Thomas Young and Nathan Hughes which is equally effective in defence and attack, with James Haskell providing significant back-up on the bench. Jimmy Gopperth brings an effective kicking game, and scrum half Dan Robson has proved to be just as influential as Joe Simpson, mixing snappy passing with a try-scoring threat and adding to the array of options in the backline. That said, Sarries did a good job to nullify the threat in December, although that was when Wasps seemed to adapt their gameplan to a more kicking style to counter the visitors. At that time, despite the high profile wins in Europe, they seemed very much a work in progress, but, now they seem the finished article. However, Saracens have the stronger lineout, and arguably a better scrum too. This could be a decisive factor in playing the game in the right areas and gaining effective territory, and becomes even more of an advantage given that both Charlie Hodgson and Owen Farrell are available again, although Wasps have become more adept at dealing with the driving maul. Wasps style of play does however mean that opportunities to counter attack from stray passes are a possibility, and given the form of Alex Goode and Chris Ashton in particular at the moment, you'd back them to take any chances which come their way.

 

Goode should certainly feature at full back, with Ashton and Chris Wyles on the wings, and Duncan Taylor with Brad Barritt in the centres. Farrell should start with Richard Wigglesworth in the half backs. Moving to the forwards, an unchanged front row, which will hope for more of an advantage in the scrum this week, should feature Mako Vunipola, Schalk Brits and Petrus du Plessis, with George Kruis and Maro Itoje reunited in the second row, and a back row of Michael Rhodes, Will Fraser and Billy Vunipola. Wasps will probably make some changes from the side which won at Worcester, with a particular conundrum at full back, as both Rob MIller and Charles Piatau are in inspired form. Charles Piatau should move to 15, allowing Daly to switch to 13 and Siale Piatau returning to 12 after being rested, with Wade and Frank Halai continuing to occupy the wing berths. Jimmy Gopperth would seem likely to return at fly half, with Robson holding his place at scrum half despite the return of Simpson from injury. Into the pack, and Matt Mullen should remain at loosehead, with Ashley Johnson coming back in at hooker, and Jake Cooper-Woolley returning at tighthead. Joe Launchbury should team up with Bradley Davies in the second row, whilst the back row should feature Young, Smith and Hughes.