THE QUARTER MASTERS


By Behind the Bench
April 6 2016

Saracens look to win their fourth European Quarter Final in a row, in front of a record crowd in NW4, against a Northampton Saints side struggling for consistency this season, but buoyed by a Premiership win at Copthall just a month ago, and chasing a fourth win here since winning on their first visit in the play-offs in 2013.

Friday saw a Saracens side fully confident in its gameplan to commanding effect at Bath, as assured defence allied with ruthless and incisive finishing, which could easily have yielded more tries, as Chris Ashton slotted back in effortlessly. Saints are in transition in their playing style, having opted for a more flowing style in the aftermath of a particularly disappointing home defeat to Wasps. I was in Bath as well as Coventry over the weekend and the contrast was stark. Faced with equally off-colour home sides, Wasps' margin of victory flattering them considerably, both visiting sides did well in the breakdown and lineout, with the Saints even more disruptive to the home lineout than Maro Itoje and George Kruis were at Bath, with no less than eight of the 20 Wasps lineouts being stolen. The difference was that whilst Saracens staged some sharp attacks from turnover possession, Northampton made little impact in attack, with hard-won ball just aimlessly kicked away, or attacks stunted by inaccurate handling and passing. This was in stark contrast to incisive and expansive play seen in bonus point home wins against London Irish and Harlequins in recent weeks, which, although not bereft entirely of knock-ons, produced so many chances that it didn't really matter. 
 
The Saints' win in Allianz Park back on 5 March was one of fine margins, though, as the visiting back row gained the upper hand over Saracens in the breakdown, and the home side failed to stage an effective comeback against a visiting side who enjoyed the majority of possession and territory, meaning that the rolling maul could come into play as a "fallback" attacking option, in a way it wasn't allowed to on Sunday as Wasps held their discipline. More than any other game, including the Wasps embarrassment, this game emphasised the importance of the "knowhow" and alertness of the international contingent, as opposition errors went uncharacteristically unpunished, whilst Northampton took their chances. Back at home a strong attacking and defensive display eventually brought a recovery from 11-0 down to earn a vital 26-11 bonus point win over fellow play-off hopefuls Sale Sharks as the ambitious approach paid off again. It seemed that the Saints would emulate Saracens' fine win at Exeter as they led 12-3 with well worked tries from Ken Pisi and JJ Hanrahan, but second half discipline and a loss of dominance at the breakdown saw the Chiefs record a 20-12 win. Franklins Gardens, though, would yield another commanding success, as Harlequins were beaten 29-23, and the opening try saw backs and forwards combine with the ball in hand, as Sarries did to good effect at Bath, to send Alex Waller over for the opening try. Courtney Lawes made the most of close range pressure for the second, whilst a fine offload from hooker Mike Heywood provided Ben Foden with the third and Harry Mallinder profited from good work by Ken Pisi for the bonus score in an attractive attacking display in which the Saints weren't afraid to offload. All the more disappointing for them that the attacking edge was almost completely lacking at Coventry last Sunday. 
 
There are a number of unknowns ahead of the announcement of the teams, given citings and injuries. However, we know that George Kruis will now be available after an allegation of biting was dismissed on Tuesday night; the question is whether the other half of the "Saracens Slammers" second row (copyright Alex Sanderson) is available: Maro Itoje will be given as much time to recover, and whilst his absence would be a blow, considering the Saints' strength in this area last week, the back up is still of a high calibre. A possible starting line up has Alex Goode at full back, with Chris Ashton and Chris Wyles occupying the wings, outside Duncan Taylor and Brad Barritt, with Owen Farrell alongside Richard Wigglesworth in the half back, with this backline offering a good balance of flair and defensive ability. Into the forwards, Mako Vunipola will hope for a better day at loosehead after some difficulties in the scrum at the Rec, alongside Schalk Brits and Petrus du Plessis. In the event of Itoje being unavailable, Alistair Hargreaves is a decent replacement to have, but, for me, the key question is who should be selected at 6 and 7 in the backrow alongside Billy Vunipola, given that this is arguably the Saints' strongest area and control of the breakdown is essential; the most likely pairing would appear to be Michael Rhodes and Will Fraser, both of whom put a strong defensive effort in last Friday.
 
For Saints, there is significant uncertainty about their starting XV. Alongside the well-documented concussion suffered by England captain Dylan Hartley in the Grand Slam winning game, there are no less than three other players following return to play protocols: Luther Burrell, who has been at the heart of the improved attacking game, Kieran Brookes and Lee Dickson. The removal of replacement scrum half Dickson for a head injury assessment saw the return of starting scrum half Kahn Fotuali'i blocked, as Foden was forced to play scrum half for the rest of the match. If the injured quartet all miss out for the visitors, Foden should continue at full back, with Ken Pisi and George North occupying the wings, and a centre partnership of George Pisi and Mallinder. Stephen Myler remains the preferred choice for the "big" games at fly half, whilst Fotuali'i would reprise his start at Wasps alongside him. A revised front row would feature Alex Waller at loosehead, Heywood continuing at hooker and Paul Hill starting at tighthead, whilst , given their effectiveness in the lineout at the Ricoh, the second row partnership of Lawes and Christian Day should remain. Back-row wise, they will be hopeful that Jamie Gibson will be available to slot in at 6, giving his impact in defence and attack this season, in which case, Tom Wood would switch to 7, and Teimana Harrison, who has also had an excellent campaign, would move to 8. 

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THE QUARTER MASTERS
Discussion started by TheSaracens.com , 06/04/2016 19:56
TheSaracens.com
06/04/2016 19:56
Thanks as always Gerard.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2016:04:20:20:58:38 by Darraghgirl.

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Squawker2
07/04/2016 14:09
Must be depressing for the opposition when Hargreaves steps in for Itoje

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Stuart Barnes is a Cock Womble

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Highbury Saracen
07/04/2016 14:49
I think it'll be Big Jim....not sure Ali could do full game yet if required?

European champions 2016 & 2017

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