By Behind The Bench
December 12 2014

  From a Saracens' perspective, it's hard to know how to react to Munster's surprise home loss to Clermont Auvergne last Saturday. For those with the glass half full, a positive result against Sale very much puts Saracens in charge of their own destiny ahead of the decisive double header at home to Munster and at Clermont Auvergne. For the pessimist, it strengthens the position of Clermont ominously, as they face a home tie with Munster and then travel to Sale before hosting Saracens, at a ground they never lose at. However, before those assignments, Saracens will hope to repeat the bonus point secured against Sale in their Aviva Premiership visit here in September,  

Sale are out of the competition now, with the consolation prize of a drop to the second tier competition removed as part of the restructuring of European rugby. They could opt to concentrate on earning a repeat visit to the competition through a top six finish, so we could see a modified side on Saturday, but given their solid performances in the LV= Cup, that doesn't necessarily mean a bonus point is there for the taking, although the North West club are suffering from a mounting injury list. First and foremost, Saracens must reestablish their dominance in the scrum, which struggled at times last week, even with the hosts missing players of the calibre of back rows Dan Braid and former Sarrie David Seymour, although Magnus Lund was equally impressive. In practice, we will probably see some of the players from the bench starting, in particular, given his priceless role to the side, it seems likely that Danny Cipriani will be rested and Nick Macloed come in; with the latter being the second highest goal kicker in the Sharks' history (No prizes for guessing who is first in the list), with scrum half Will Clift stepping in for Chris Cusiter. Elsewhere in the backs, Luke McLean could possibly move to full back with the returning Will Addison taking one of the centre berths, alongside Sam Tuitopou, with Tom Brady and Luke Arnscott resyored to the wings. In the forwards, a new front row may feature Ross Harrison and James Flynn at prop, alongside Georgian hooker, Shalva Mamukashvili. At lock, the game comes too early for the return of the vastly experienced Nathan Hines, so the second row combination could include Russian international Andrei Ostrikov and Tongan Viliami Fihaki, with the back row featuring Andy Hughes alongside Lund and number 8 Josh Beaumont. With the incentive of Saracens going top of the pool, at least temporarily, with any win, they will want to press for the bonus point, so will need to ensure there is plenty of supply to Chris Ashton and David Strettle on the wings, and some more moments of magic from Charlie Hodgson would be well-timed. So, changes from last week could be minimal, perhaps Chris Wyles slotting in at centre in place of Owen Farrell, and the scrum half berth rotated in favour of Neil De Kock, but personally, it would be good if there was some continuity from last week. 

However, whether Saracens qualify will depend on events elsewhere as well as in their own pool. Marginally, it is slightly easier to qualify in pure numerical terms, with three runners up qualifying rather than two, although this is offset by the slightly higher level of competition in the remaining five pools, and it will still remain difficult to progress to the Quarter Finals with two losses. Wins of any kind from the next two home matches put Saracens in a possible position to overhaul Clermont at the top of the table if they can win on French soil in the last match, Although a daunting prospect, it is still unclear whether ASM have lost their "chokers" tag, certainly, the fact that Saracens have beaten them in the last two meetings will put this to the test. Ironically, though, Clermont proved just last week that it is possible to broach "fortress" venues. If Sarries can't pull off a famous win in the Auvergne, then they are left challenging Munster for the runners up spot. For argument's sake, two maximum point hauls would deliver a 19 point finish, if no bonus point was taken from the last game, which may be enough. Casting eyes elsewhere, Pool 2 just got interesting with Harlequins' win over Leinster, as Sarries' London rivals claimed three from three. Wasps look to have too much to do to qualify themselves, but could determine whether one or two sides progress from the pool, with their closing home game against Leinster looking likely to have something riding on it. Castres are completely out of contention, though. Into Pool Three, and a pool which looks tight at the moment following Leicester Tigers' win over Toulon, but the French side would seem likely to win their three remaining games at home to Leicester and Ulster and at Scarlets to claim the group, which means Leicester might be one of the runners up to miss out. Bath have a mountain to climb even after a fine win at Montpellier, with Toulouse at the summit, the second side with a perfect record, followed, perhaps surprisingly, by Glasgow Warriors, whose home clash with the French side will be the key match of the season in the pool. Win, and Glasgow will take a massive step towards qualification. That leaves the fifth pool which Northampton Saints lead, but on the same number of points as Racing Metro and the sides meet at Franklins Gardens in the last pool match. Ospreys can't qualify realistically, but, as with Wasps, their results could determine who does, whilst Treviso, who are doing worse than Italian colleagues Zebre this season, have yet to collect a point.

Will sarries hopes Sale away?

Discussion started by TheSaracens.com , 12/12/2014 08:04

TheSaracens.com
12/12/2014 08:04

Thanks yet again Gerard for another excellent preview



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2014:12:18:19:38:50 by Darraghgirl.

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davidthesarrie
12/12/2014 12:37

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The Bard
12/12/2014 18:14

Great stuff again. Looking at the ticket map last night it looks like being our smallest crowd of the season, which is disappointing. I guess the kick-off time and cold weather don't help.

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AP
13/12/2014 10:11

Quote:

The Bard
Great stuff again. Looking at the ticket map last night it looks like being our smallest crowd of the season, which is disappointing. I guess the kick-off time and cold weather don't help.

Yes, we only went to the game at Sale because we have never been to that ground and the kick off time plus club coach made it feasible. A 5.15 pm kick off this week end means the Sale fans will be getting back to Manchester after midnight. Though to be fair, the notices up in the club bar showed there was just one space left on the coach - but it didn't say whether it took 70 or 15 passengers!

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