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By Behind the Bench
November 26 2015

Saracens vs Worcester Warriors; London Irish vs Wasps Aviva Premiership Rugby, London Double Header Saturday 28 November Twickenham Stadium   Saracens make their first return to HQ since the Premiership final as they face a Worcester side who have readapted to Premiership life successfully so far, whilst both sides in the first encounter at 1515 will be keeping an eye on the match which follows between Irish and Wasps at 1730.

In truth, the continuation of the London Double Header this season is something as a surprise, in particular given that Harlequins are not involved at all this season, bizarrely playing London Irish at the Stoop a week later, and less than a month before their customary Big Game festive match, which is against Gloucester this time around. So we get two intriguing games, and a return of Wasps to London, not to mention the inevitable Mexican waves, but, in the aftermath of the World Cup, and with less promotion than in previous campaigns, when it formed a logical curtain raiser, it seems a muddled decision in some ways.
 
Worcester have a lot of similarities with Exeter in that the club has effectively grown massively in recent years, with an enthusiastic and knowledgeable support and excellent group. They had an unbroken spell in the Premiership from 2005 until 2010, and, whilst generally competitive in the Challenge Cup, reaching the final in 2005 and 2008, they have never qualified for top flight European Rugby. Relegation came in 2010, and though the Warriors bounced back immediately, after a trio of seasons in the Premiership, they were relegated again in 2014, having waited almost the entire season to claim a victory, and finishing a distant last. Dean Ryan was at the helm then, and steered a side who finished second in the Championship to a dramatic play-off win over Bristol. In preparation for the top flight return, some shrewd signings were made, with an emphasis on experience, mostly notably Munster lock Donncha O'Callaghan and Northampton stalwart, back row, Phil Dowson. Other key captures included Ospreys' flanker Sam Lewis, Bristol's scrum half Luke Baldwin and winger Andy Short, Edinburgh fly half Tom Heathcote, Melbourne Rebels winger Cooper Vuna, Montpellier duo, Samoan prop, Na'ama Leleimalefaga and South African centre Wynand Olivier, and Kiwi winger Bryce Heem, from the Chiefs.
 
Seven of these new signings made their debut for the club in the impressive opening 13-12 win against Northampton at Sixways, with skipper GJ van Velze getting the only try of the game of the hosts, and Heathcote winning the game with a last-gasp drop goal. The next assignment was a trip to Sale, where two long distance Ryan Mills kicks gave the visitors an early advantage, but they missed out on the bonus point right at the end in a 27-13 loss, and they were edged out 24-22 at Gloucester, despite a pair of Vuna tries. Back at home, a vital 28-20 win was secured against Newcastle Falcons, as some assured handling and fine breasyielded two tries for centre Alex Gricve, with scores for Chris Pennnell and Heem as well. Surprisingly, perhaps, Ryan made 14 changes for the European Challenge Cup match against La Rochelle, but the 19-3 home win encouraging pointed to the strength in depth of the squad, with full back Ben Howard getting the only try, and Ryan Lamb getting 14 points from the tee. However, the trip to Italy proved a stiffer proposition, as they failed to cope adequately with Zebre's forward power, and lost 27-8. A line up similar to the one against Newcastle seems likely, so that would see Pennell at full back, with Heem and Vuna on the wings, and Alex Grove with Mills in the centres. Heathcote would be preferred to Ryan Lamb at fly half, with Jonny Arr in the scrum half berth. Forwards-wise, former Saracens Storm player Val Rapava-Ruskin would be at loosehead, alongside former Ulster hooker Niall Annett and South African tighthead Nick Schonert. In the second row. O'Callaghan would team up with Darren Barry, whilst the back row would comprise of Matt Cox, Dowson and van Velze.
 
After opting for broadly similar sides against Stade Toulousain and Ulster in Europe, Sarries' line up may be rotated more extensively this time out, although, as their record so far shows, Worcester are not an easy proposition. Looking at the backs, Alex Goode should continue at full back, with Chris Ashton and Chris Wyles staying on the wings, outside a centre partnership of Marcelo Bosch and Brad Barritt, with the half back pairing as Charlie Hodgson and Neil de Kock. The Sarries' front row could see Rhys Gill and Juan Figallo either side of Jamie George, whilst George Kruis and Alistair Hargreaves may team up in the second row, with a back row comprising of Kelly Brown, Will Fraser and Ernst Joubert, for a farewell appearance. With far more craft in the Warriors ranks nowadays, especially out wide, and a useful kicking game, Saracens will need to defend strongly in general play, whilst the lineout in particular promises to be some contest. 
 
After a crazy weekend last time around in which I managed to fit in the Saracens, Bath and Wasps matches, I will certainly stick around for the second game. Wasps have been threatening to achieve some breakthrough results for some time, and have done so in the European competition where they somehow managed to top a 33-6 win in Leinster, the first English side to win in Dublin since London Irish six years ago, by beating holders Rugby Club Toulonnais 32-6 at Coventry, with a bonus point to boot. With their defending excellent, and providing a lethal combination with the pace and creativity of their backs, the game against Irish, a reprise of their first match in permanent residence at the Ricoh Arena, will be key in determining whether they can sustain a top four challenge in the Premiership, possibly at the expense of Northampton. So far, they have beaten Bath and Gloucester at home, and lost at Harlequins and Leicester Tigers. In contrast, London Irish continue to decline, with four straight defeats, and not even a single bonus point to show for their efforts, alongside Newcastle at the foot of the table with zero points, with both sides let down by poor defence. They lost at home to Leicester on the opening day, before a comprehensive reverse at Exeter, and a narrower loss at Saracens, but were well-beaten by Bath last time around. 
 

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Discussion started by TheSaracens.com , 26/11/2015 20:50
TheSaracens.com
26/11/2015 20:50
Thanks again Gerard



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2015:12:07:17:35:18 by Darraghgirl.

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TonyTaff
27/11/2015 11:21
Very knowledgeable. Thanks.

It's a long time since Sports network paid anything!

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