Wat Next

On November 20^th 2005, the Saracens forwards destroyed their Geordie counterparts, who weren't helped by Micky Ward being sin-binned, in front of the Sky TV cameras as the home side won 27-18 thanks to Glen Jackson's boot, both teams scoring three tries apiece.  James Hoyle, Matthew Burke and Joe Shaw scored the Falcons' tries that day.

We have been without success in Watford since December 2001, when we won there for the only time 24-19.  Since then we have lost four league meetings, a Cup match and a European tie, often without really competing against Saracens.

All eyes will be on one man on Sunday, and for once it won't be Jonny Wilkinson, who damaged knee ligaments in the Falcons' win over Worcester .  No, it'll be another man who is considered important to the England World Cup defence if only he could stay (or get in the first place!) fit Andy Farrell.  The former rugby league star is set to make his union debut on Sunday, even if only from the bench, after playing his first 15-a-side match on Monday for the Saracens A-team.

Not that Fez Boyz really need another star - or so you'd think looking at their squad.  It is actually quite a mystery how they have won only one trophy since the sport went professional - the 1998 Tetley's Bitter Cup.  The front row is quite simply fearsome, boasting Kevin Yates, Irishman Shane Byrne and Cobus Visagie, as well as Nick Lloyd Italian international hooker Fabio Ongaro.  Simon Raiwalui and Iain Fullarton stand in the second row, although Tom Ryder was at 4 last weekend, and former Falcon Hugh Vyvyan captains the side from number 8 alongside young David Seymour, Ben Skirving, Kris Chesney, Paul Gustard and, should he ever get fit again (and we all hope he will), World Cup winner Richard Hill.

Not to be outdone, the Sarries' backs offer personifications of intelligence, speed and power through mercurial French international Thomas Castaignede, Dan Scarborough and Tevita Vaikona.  I can't fail to mention Richard Haughton, the wing who scored twice in this fixture last season and who always seems to do well against us.  Fly-half Glen Jackson also has the talents of Mark Bartholomeusz, Kevin Sorrell, Ben Johnston, Dan Harris and Argentina A international Tomas De Vadia to set loose.

With a squad like that you might be surprised to find Alan Gaffney's side are yet to win this season.  Dave Walder's late penalty condemned them to defeat by Wasps at Twickenham on the opening day, before Shaun Perry's 79^th-minute try went unconverted to prevent a similar scenario at Bristol on Sunday, the Watford men drawing 13-13 with the West County side.

Last season's 21-16 win for the Falcons at Kingston Park was our only defeat of Saracens in the last SEVEN matches between us, suggesting we can't expect too much on Sunday in probably the Premiership's least-loved ground (as well as the Recreation Ground).  Our performances against Northampton and Worcester will need to be improved on, particularly in the first half, as once Saracens get going as they have the last few years down there, they can be very difficult to stop.  Without Jonny Wilkinson, Geoff Parling and Mathew Tait, this may prove too big of a task for the Falcons.

Fletch's team show three changes, with Toby Flood moving to fly-half to allow Joe Shaw to make a first start of the season at inside centre; John Rudd starts for the first time; and Mike McCarthy comes into the back row.  The team:-

15 Matthew Burke (captain)
14 Tom May
13 Jamie Noon
12 Joe Shaw
11 John Rudd
10 Toby Flood
9 James Grindal

1 Micky Ward
2 Matt Thompson
3 Robbie Morris
4 Andy Perry
5 Andy Buist
6 Mike McCarthy
7 Cory Harris
8 Phil Dowson

Replacements:
David Wilson
Andy Long
Brent Wilson
Ben Woods
Tim Visser
Hall Charlton
Ollie Phillips

For Sarries, the aforementioned Farrell starts from the bench, whilst Castaignede will no doubt return from injury later in the afternoon and cause his usual brand of havoc.  Their team:-

15 Dan Scarbrough
14 Kameli Ratuvou
13 Kevin Sorrell
12 Ben Johnston
11 Rodd Penney
10 Glen Jackson
9 Alan Dickens
1 Kevin Yates
2 Matt Cairns
3 Cobus Visagie
4 Hugh Vyvyan
5 Simon Raiwalui (captain)
6 Kris Chesney
7 David Seymour
8 Ben Russell

16 Shane Byrne
17 Ben Broster
18 Tom Ryder
19 Andy Farrell
20 Moses Rauluni
21 Ross Laidlaw
22 Thomas Castaignede