By The Saracens
February 17 2022

It’s odd how often random draws throw the same teams together. It happened a couple of years ago with Northampton and this season it’s London Irish’s turn. On Saturday we will playing them for the 4th time this season! It’s remarkably even though with each team winning 1 game (Irish in the Premiership Cup, Sarries in the Challenge Cup) plus that heroic draw in the Gallagher Premiership when 14 man Irish staged that amazing come back to draw the game with the last kick of the match. Irish seem to make a bit of a habit of 2nd half comebacks – they trailed Bristol 15-10 at half time last week only to run out 49-32 winners. So all to play for on Saturday then.

Sarries and Irish have remarkably similar records over the past 3 6-Nations weeks, with both sides winning 2 and losing 1. (Irish have beaten Chiefs (home) and Bristol (away) but lost to Gloucester (also away) whereas Sarries have beaten Bath & Quins at home but lost to Wasps away. The difference is that Sarries have been without 6 players to the 6-Nations whereas Irish have not been affected.

As this is a rest week in the 6 Nations, Sarries will have access to Scots Sean Maitland and Andy Christie and Welshman Nick Tompkins. Nick Isiekwe has also been released by Eddie (England’s loss is our gain) but Sarries will still be without England Internationals Itoje, George, Malins and Daly. Irish shouldn’t be troubled by International call-ups. Ollie Hassell-Collins and Tom Pearson have also been released by Eddie.

Irish have a very solid half back pairing of Australian scrum half Nick Phipps and Paddy Jackson. In fact these 2 scored 34 points last weekend with Jackson clocking up 24 and Phipps 10. The Irish centre pairing of Curtis Rona & Benhard Van Rensburg has also been firing well – with Tom Pearson and Terence Hepetema back to add in the mix and Hassell-Collins on the wing. In the pack, Irish have a couple of useful Argentinians in hooker Augustin Creevy and No 7 Juan Martin Gonzalez. I really do hope the wonderfully named Lovejoy Chawatama puts in an appearance!

Sarries have a week off next weekend so I would expect the strongest possible team to play (as everyone can put their feet up for a while after that). The management team seem to want to persist with Manu at 10 (although he wasn’t that convincing last Sunday – hopefully Storm Eunice will have blown herself out by Saturday afternoon) and Van Zyl at 9 (although he was taught a bit of a lesson by Mr Care last Sunday. I assume Aled Davis remains injured as apart from a brief appearance off the bench against Wasps he hasn’t been mentioned for a while. The pack did very nicely last Sunday but I’m sure there will be room for Nick Isiekwe – Tim Swinson might get to rest his old bones! I would also be tempted to give t’other Nick (Tompkins) a game at centre and perhaps drop Dom to the bench. Segun looked very strong against Quins so may keep his place ahead of Lewington.

Our referee is Hamish Smales assisted by Jack Makepeace and Dean Richards (not seen him for a while) with Wayne Barnes as TMO

It could be a high scoring match as Saracens are the league’s highest try scorers (59) and Irish are 2^nd (54). Sarries will need to take what chances they are offered if they are to have hopes of a win. Irish will be grateful for any gifts that come their way. Hopefully the weather will be less influential. Heart says Sarries but head is going with the home team. Let’s hope I’m wrong.

Meanwhile in the word’s of an Irish saying “Do not fear the wind if your haystacks are tied down”.