Saints A Preview: please post all match related comment here

By The Saracens
March 28 2024

How do we top that then? After one superb performance on Saturday against Quins, Sarries come up against Saints at The Gardens on Friday night on a 6 day turn round. Friday is Good Friday, but which team will it be good for?

There has been much discussion as to whether Quins were just dreadful or whether Sarries just didn’t let them play (or a bit of both). We may find out a bit more on Friday night but you can be sure of one thing, Saints aren’t likely to roll over in the way that Quins did. Saints were well beaten down at Ashton Gate on Saturday (although to be fair, they rested most of their England International backs). They will not want to suffer a second humiliation at the hands of Saracens.

One thing that Saturday’s performance showed us was just how much Sarries have missed the raft of injured forwards who have been missing for much of the season: and conversely, how well they can play once back up to full strength. I think it also shows how well we’ve done so far this season to stay in touch at the top despite being down to our 3^rd and 4^th choice front rows for much of the season. It also shows the enormous influence Owen has over the team: not just his skills and ability, that goes without saying, but his own sense of well-being. When Owen isn’t right the whole house starts wobbling. Thankfully, now his future is resolved and it’s all out in the open, he seems to be back to the player we know and love, and determined to make his last few appearances for the men in black really count. Hopefully Northampton will be on the receiving end!

Northampton have some injury issues of their own. Furbank is unlikely to be fit and the replacement fullback, George Hendy is undergoing the concussion protocol so should be unavailable as well. Mitchell has a wrist injury and Tom James and Calum Braley both missed the trip to Ashton Gate. Eliott Millar-Mills is also injured as is Tom Seabrook. Tarek Haffar and Tom Pearson could reappear along with Tommy Freeman & Fraser Dingwall. Northampton still have a wealth of talent not least Finn Smith, Hutchinson, Sleightholme, Courtney Lawes & Lewis Ludlam.

Sarries’ team selection will be interesting. The next 2 (hopefully 3) weeks are season-defining. Fridays game is huge: a win would go a long way to ensuring a play-off spot, then next Saturday it’s all or nothing away to Bordeaux. Mark McCall needs to manage all these players: they all seem to want to play in every game which is great but everyone needs a break, even Ben Earl! Isn’t it great to have choices:- Mako or Mawi, Jamie or Theo, Judge or Riccioni just for starters. There is a wealth of talent at lock: I presume if Maro’s “turned ankle” has recovered he’ll start but who with: Tizard, Isiekwe ? Then in the back row pick 3 from Gonzales, McFarland, Earl, Willis and Billy. The half backs is one area where supremacy is clear: Faz and Van Zyl are head and shoulders above the pack. Tompkins and Cinti looked a really positive partnership on Saturday so assuming Tompkins has it in him I’d stick there (otherwise Hartley won’t let anyone down). Maitland was really good on Saturday especially as he wasn’t expecting to start, and again we have good choices with Lewington, Parton and Segun all available. After Saturday Daly has made the 15 shirt his own with Goode to cover.

It should be a good one – games between these 2 sides rarely disappoint. Both sides need to win, but I suspect the victor will be the one who wants it most.

Saints A Preview: please post all match related comment here

Posted by: TheSaracens.com (IP Logged)

Date: 28/03/2024 10:13

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024:04:07:09:26:43 by Darraghgirl.