SARRIES GO MARCHING ON?


By Behind the Bench
September 14 2016

Who enjoyed Sunday afternoon in the West Country? In truth, both of these sides did with comfortable wins against Exeter and Bristol respectively, but, albeit in the second game of the season, Saracens' bonus point success at Sandy Park made a strong statement.

Undoubtedly, the competition in the Aviva Premiership will be the strongest ever this season (at the risk of sounding like someone who works for BT Sport - chance'd be a fine thing) but the recruitment of sides would seem to support this. Wasps would seem poised to continue their steep upward curve, on a different model to that of Saracens, whilst Bath should pose more of a challenge than last season's woeful effort, whilst Northampton and Leicester should remain in the mix, and that's before the possibility of a Sale, Harlequins or Gloucester making more of a surprise challenge. So, where does that leave Saracens? Well, increasingly, sides will be well-matched in terms of squads, meaning that sides which can master winning the "big games", and Exeter away was certainly one of those, will prosper again. Saracens' success in key matches, and ultimately finals, has been built on not only technical ability but the consistency of a game plan and mental strength. Squads, though, will evolve, and what has been crucial to the good start is how Alex Lozowski and Sean Maitland have slotted in effortlessly, not only to a different approach to play, but from a personal perspective. Lozowski has gone from being a third choice with sporadic game time to managing the game of a Premiership winning side on debut, throwing on a try-saving tackle on Sunday for good measure, and with Maitland, transferring from a relegation battle to the other end of the table. This speaks volumes for the character of both players, but also points to a logical approach to sensible recruitment. When the "higher profile" signings have been made, such as Schalk Burger or John Smit, there seems to have been a focus on their legacy as much as their on-field contribution; certainly Smit would have contributed to the journey of Jamie George from academy product to England hooker, and Burger seems likely to help a formidable back row get even stronger. In a season where the play-off matches are likely to be tight affairs this experience may once again be vital.
 
Looking more closely at the respective statistics of the weekend, Saracens' are particularly instructive. "Efficiency" is, uniquely in sport, sometimes a critical euphemism for wins which are somehow undeserved or against the run of the play. I'd prefer to describe as reflecting a side which is mentally switched on and decisively takes its chances, whilst stopping the opposition from using theirs, even when faced with incessant pressure. The game at Sandy Park was the perfect illustration of this as saw Saracens make 288 metres to the hosts 436, whilst the Chiefs made double the number of passes and runs, yet still lost five tries to one despite enjoying territory and possession around the 65% mark. Sarries did however kick far more than their opponents, vindicating this approach given the final result. Significantly, metres made by the backline were relatively modest, with Billy Vunipola making most ground with 57 metres - given that four of the five tries were scored by the backs, when they did make ground, it mattered. Alex Goode took over the kicking duties after some disappointing moments from the tee for Lozowski last week. Meanwhile in Bristol, the Saints spoilt the home side's Premiership homecoming with a comprehensive 32-10 win in which they enjoyed the bulk of possession and got off to a strong start with three of the four tries inside the opening 22 minutes, through George North, Louis Picamoles and Ken Pisi, with Stephen Myler's kicking proving particularly problematic for Bristol.
 
Northampton had an odd season last year, missing out on the play-offs, and trying to implement an adjusted gameplan with more width and variety in an attempt to become less predictable after a decidedly slow start. The emergence of Academy product Harry Mallinder, mainly at centre, was one of the highlights of last season as he came on as substitute in the home European clash with Glasgow Warriors and immediately looked at home, although starting him at fly half in the season opener with Bath was not repeated in the trip to Ashton Gate. Saints' problem last season was that, although reaching the European Quarter Finals, where they lost at Saracens, they didn't win enough of the big games. The win at Allianz Park in the Six Nations period was the exception in a record which saw home and away defeats to Wasps and Leicester, as well as at home to Saracens and at Exeter as, faced with a game plan in transition, they weren't able to impose themselves sufficiently in these matches. Their key signing of number 8 Louis Picamoles seemed to be announced almost in time for last season, but will undoubtedly add to the forward power of the side, and, in particular maintaining the potency of their "go to" weapon of the rolling maul which they relied on too much at the start of last season.  More than personnel changes, though, the Saints will hope for a return of the consistency and coherency absent last season, and once again looking to progress from a tough-looking European pool featuring Montpellier, Castres and Leinster. This inconsistency and unpredictability what makes matches between Saracens and Saints hard to call, as the forward power is always there for Northampton, but the backline does not always seem to deliver to its potential, though it did on Sunday
 
Turning to potential line ups, Saracens may opt for some rotation. Goode should continue at full back, with Chris Ashton and Maitland on the wings, and a centre partnership of Duncan Taylor and Brad Barritt. We could see the return of Owen Farrell from injury, at fly half, whilst Richard Wigglesworth's influential performance at Exeter should see him retained at scrum half. Forwards-wise, Mako Vunipola, Jamie George and Petrus du Plessis should form the front row, whilst George Kruis may return to the seciond row alomside Maro Itoje, and a possible back row would include Michael Rhodes, Burger and Billy Vunipola. Saints could start with Ben Foden at full back, with Ken Pisi and North on the wings outside a centre partnership of Mallinder and Luther Burrell, and Myler at flu half alongside Lee Dickson at scrum half. Into the pack, and Alex Waller should start at loosehead, with Mike Heywood at hooker and Kieran Brooks at tighthead, with the second row formed of Courtney Lawes and Michael Paterson, and a back row of Tom Wood, Jamie Gibson and Picamoles. 
 

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SARRIES GO MARCHING ON?
Discussion started by TheSaracens.com , 14/09/2016 12:14
TheSaracens.com
14/09/2016 12:14
Thanks Gerard. Looking forward to it



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2016:09:24:22:36:39 by Darraghgirl.

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Sully08
16/09/2016 08:58
Great review as ever - matched by an excellent review on the Saints board which is also worth reading ahead of the game tomorrow.

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The Bard
16/09/2016 17:54
Great stuff as usual, many thanks

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