By Glossopshark
November 20 2003

After our first win at our new residence, many of us are hoping that the flood gates will open, starting with London’s everyone’s second favourite club (after the Oirish!), Saracens! The pre-season for Saracens looked very promising, with some astute signings over the summer, Taine Randell, Mark Bartholomeusz and Raphael Ibanez, coupled to the return to fitness of the French wizard, Thomas Castinegde, the future looked bright. However, the promise of better things to come has not materialised and Saracens find themselves in what is effectively ‘last place’ as most rugby pundits can’t see Rotherham pulling themselves out of the mire. (the words Lazarus and comeback spring to mind!)

So, on to Fridays game. It has been a trying ‘home’ season so far for Sale, we finally found our winning ways at Edgley Park against the Tykes, but the general feeling was that we can play much better and against what could be a dangerous Saracens team, we will have to do just that. Let’s take a look at the Fez boys.

On paper, Saracens have a solid if unspectacular set of forwards. Their key player, Richard Hill, is a bit pre-occupied holidaying in the antipodean, with our very own Jason Robinson, and their forwards seem to be struggling to give what could be a very exciting back line, enough ammunition with which to kill teams off. With players such as Ben Johnston, Daragh O’ Mahony, Nathan McAvoy and the lightning quick Richard Haughton, they certainly have pace and power to trouble any defence in the premiership.

The battle of the wings will be an interesting, if not compelling duel, and after all the talk recently of the perimeter fencing possibly stifling our wingers natural tendency to go wide, will this have the same effect on Mr Haughton & Co? There are also match ups at centre with, 007 vs Johnstone, but the most interesting battle must surely be at Stand-off, where One-time Sale first choice comes face to face with the man that effectively ended his career with the Sharks, Charlie Hodgson.

Hodgson has returned form injury with a bang and already looks like he will capture the form that had almost guaranteed him a place on ‘Clive’s Magical Mystery Tour’ to Oz, only to suffer a career threatening injury during the 6 Nations. Sale have looked a more complete side with Sir Charles back.

And the question that all Sale fans will be asking is will Basil make his return?

Upfront may be a different storey. Sarrie’s pack have no obvious superstars (except our holidaying chum), but they have a very solid and experienced look about them. With the likes of Bergamaschi and the underated Andy Kershaw in the front row, Saracens will keep the Sale front row honest and it will be another test for Andrew Sheridan, who has been a revelation so far this season, and the ever improving Matt Cairns.

In the 2nd row, another ex Sale boy, Simon Raiwauli, may well line up alongside England A’s Alex Codling. Both experienced players, both know their way around a rugby park and neither of them are likely to take a backwards step. Facing them will be the rock solid pair of Ian Fullarton (the best Scottish player not to go to the world cup), and ex-member of my ‘other’club (C’mon Glossop!), the ever improving Dean Schofield.

In the back row it is yet again the battle of the southern hemispheres as New Zealand, in the form of Taine Randell, take on Austraila, our very own ‘Pinkers’. Both players will have a point to prove after last weekend’s semi-final and neither player will want to come off 2nd best.
In Tony Roques (England 7’s), Saracens have one of the best ball handling back row players in the country, and if he can link with his back line, then he could pose all sorts of problems for Sale’s defence.

Sale have played with the same back row all season and with the news that Pinkers is extending his stay for another 6 games & Chris Jones, now cleared of punching Chris Sheasby, and beginning to settle into the No.8 slot, his excellent work at the lineout gives him an added dimension, then I can’t imagine their will be much change to this unit.

Where we may see change is on the bench, where Jason White may come in and replace the ever reliable Magnus Lund.

So, to the outcome. If you were looking at this from an outsiders point of view the facts would probably show, that a better line out, home advantage & good win away at the Tiggers the previous weekend for Sale, allied to poor confidence that comes from being where Saracens are at the moment, would suggest a big win. The more optimistic Fez boys may well say that a side with this many good players must have good performances in them and with Sale’s appalling home record so far this season, an upset could be on the cards.

I think, being as unbiased as a Sale fan can be, I would plump for the latter. We have yet to turn it on at home and with Sir Charles improving all the time and the possible re-appearance of Basil, a decent win is on the cards.

Glossopshark Prediction; Sale by 10-15