By Jason Harris
August 16 2002

Japanese international outside half Kensuke Iwabuchi has been selected for his first ever start for the Men in Black against Sanix. The Cambridge Blue has been with the club since 2000 and to date has made just two apperances, coming off the bench on both occasions.

Iwabuchi features in a youthful side, the first to be selected by new coach Wayne Shelford for a competitive game. The likes of Shanklin, Flatman. Johnston, Winnan and Ben Russell all make it into the starting fifteen.

There are some old heads in the team to assist the youngsters, however. Kyran Bracken skippers the side from scrum half, Christian Califano starts at tight head prop and Craig Yandell marks his return to Sarries first team action in the second row.

On the bench there is more experience ready to be called upon. Craig Quinnell should take the field as a Saracen for the first time after he sat out the Coventry friendly with a knee injury. Thomas Castaignede and Kevin Sorrell are two of the more experienced Sarries campaigners and Andy Goode is also expected to make an entrance at some point in the match.

Coach Shelford explained the selection policy thus:

"Don't read too much into this team selection for our first game in Japan against the Sanix Bombs on Sunday. It's an opportunity to play the young guys and give them a run, as some won't play in the Suntory match the following Sunday in Tokyo."

The Kiwi also said that Sarries were in Japan to win both games and that a couple of the squad (namely Welsh internationals Shanklin and Quinnell whose national side came unstuck against the Japanese champions)were aware of the threat posed by next week's opponents Suntory. Conditions will also play a crucial role in the way the games will be played and Shelford is mindful of that.

"The weather is going to be a key factor for us, today it was around 30 degrees and 75% humidity." he said on the Saracens official web site "But we are getting familiar with the conditions and will need to look after our bodies well before and during the games".

The sqaud to face Sunix on Sunday, Kick off 7pm local time:

Winnan; Haughton, Shanklin, Johnston, O'Mahony; Iwabuchi, Bracken (c); Flatman, Cairns, Califano; Roche, Yandell; Chesney, Roques, Ben Russell.

Replacements: Parkes, Marsters, Quinnell, Hooper, Peacey, Goode, Sorrell, Sparg, Castaignede.