By Behindthebench
March 3 2016

Saracens face Northampton in a crucial prelude to the European Quarter Final as they hope to make a better start than in some of their recent games against a side which is struggling to find the consistency of previous campaigns.

Whilst the positive view is that, unlike against the Wasps disaster, Saracens came from 19-0 down in the double Twelvetrees draw at Sale, the concern must be, as with the Bath and Wasps games, that they got off to a poor start against sides who ran hard at them. Whilst most measures of the game were equal, such as metres made, possession and territory, what will be of concern is the 21 missed tackles, in comparison to nine by the hosts, which suggests that a bit of "wolfpack-esque" intensity could be missing at times. Discipline was a concern, to an extent as well, with a high penalty count compared to the hosts In a positive sense, the alertness on the counter attack was as sharp as ever, meaning that sides playing an expansive game against Saracens can be punished ruthlessly for any mistakes. Even given the absence of so many players in the international line ups, the versatility of the side was shown as following the first half departure of Charlie Hodgson, on perhaps his last appearance against Sale, Ben Spencer assumed the role of kicker both at goal and in general play. And, placed in context, a run of one win in three is hardly a crisis.

Northampton have had something of an odd season, and look to have some work to do to earn a top four spot, given the resurgence of Wasps in particular. In a move similar to the March 2010 players meeting at Saracens, which led to a more attacking brand of rugby delivering a 58-15 home win over Newcastle, a thumping Wembley success over Harlequins and wins at Franklins Gardens and Welford Road on the way to the Premiership final, Saints have opted to use their backline more in recent games. This has reaped clear dividends, with victory at Harlequins and five pointers against London Irish and Worcester Warriors at home, and, having being the only away side to win in NW4 more than once, they may well continue their positive approach as opposed to an over-reliance on their driving maul, which nevertheless remains a significant go-to option. Back in November, a quartet of Owen Farrell penalties secured a 12-6 win at the Gardens, ahead of a solid start in the European Rugby Champions Cup with a 15-11 home win over Scarlets backed up by a 26-16 win in Glasgow, built on a very strong defensive performance by the back row.

Returning to the Premiership, the Saints were grinding out results; five Stephen Myler penalties bringing a 15-3 home win over Gloucester, ahead of a useful 13-11 success at Bath where they finally seemed to be building some momentum, one again built on an excellent performance by the pack. After a heavy defeat in Paris to Racing 92 in the Cup, Northampton showed excellent control in a 9-9 home draw in the return match, as Sam Dickinson led the way with 15 tackles. However, the year ended on a disappointing note, as, despite making twice as much ground, with more possession and territory, errors saw them lose 25-23 at London Irish. Their defensive solidity returned in an uninspiring 8-3 home win over Exeter Chiefs on New Year's Day, then there was a 30-27 loss at Leicester which was anything but uninspiring as the visitors recovered from 21-0 down in the first half to draw level at 27-apiece only to be beaten by the last kick. Back into Europe, the Saints laboured to a late 19-15 home win over Glasgow, with little attacking threat from the hosts apart from the rolling maul. Notably, this game saw the emergence of young back Harry Mallinder, on for the injured Tom Collins, and he got the match-winning try.

That kept European hopes alive, and Saints earnt a 22-10 bonus point win at Scarlets, with ruthless efficiency, as despite territory and possession heavily in favour of the home side, Mallinder, George Pisi, Dickinson and George North were all able to score. The Wasps home game back in the Premiership emerged as something of a watershed, though, as, once the defence had been breached by a clinical Wasps side three times inside the opening 30 minutes, the Saints' lack of variety in attack rarely threatened a comeback, given the number of knock ons and missed tackles. However, since then, they have won three games and narrowly lost the other, beginning with an impressive 30-27 win at Harlequins, where Luther Burrell had more of a creative presence rather than just making yards, setting up one try and scoring another, in an exciting running game won by Ben Foden's try to close the game. Burrell was at the heart of a fine attacking display which yielded five tries in a 35-7 home win over London Irish, whilst they rallied to a losing bonus point in a 26-25 loss at Newcastle Falcons, having been losing 26-11 at one stage. Last Saturday's 38-18 home success against Worcester Warriors saw an electric display from the fit again Collins, who claimed a hat trick, making 128 metres in the match.

Turning to the team selection, the back row contest between the sides appears particularly crucial. Not only is Jamie Gibson part of a hard-tackling back row, but is a source and creator of tries. However, starting with the backline, Alex Goode should be available at full back, with Mike Ellery and Chris Wyles occupying the wings, outside a centre partnership of Marcelo Bosch and Brad Barritt. Nils Mordt may make a rare start at fly half alongside Ben Spencer. Into the forwards, and a likely front row of Richard Barrington, Jamie George and Petrus du Plessis, and a second row of Jim Hamilton and Hayden Smith. A possible back row could include Michael Rhodes, Will Fraser and Jackson Wray. For Northampton, Ben Foden should continue at full back, with Ken Pisi and Collins on the wings, outside a centre partnership of Burrell and Mallinder. The signing of JJ Hanrahan has seen the Saints returning to rotating their starting fly half as they did a few seasons ago when Ryan Lamb and Shane Geraghty were at the club at different times, and the kicking game of the new recruit could be a threat, although Stephen Myler seems more likely to start alongside scrum half Lee Dickson. In the front row, Alex Waller will be loosehead, with Mike Haywood at hooker and Paul Hill at tighthead, with the second row fomed of Courtney Lawes and Victor Matfield, and a back row of Gibson, Wood and Teimana Harrison.