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It's an over-simplification to suggest that the returning internationals mean a guaranteed home win, but it goes without saying that the inclusion of the five players who started the Grand Slam clinching win in Paris, as well as Alex Goode and Duncan Taylor, who switched between arenas effortlessly, will be a massive lift. The only disappointment was the injury to Jamie George, whose season was ended after what had seemed an innocuous incident in training. At other clubs, there might be a sense of an anti-climax in returning to league duty, but this has never been an issue at Saracens, and with two prizes very much on offer, why would it be. However, as Mark McCall has been quick to do, it is important to acknowledge the contribution of the rest of the squad during the RBS 6 Nations campaign, which despite the horror show against Wasps and narrower defeats to Northampton Saints and Leicester Tigers, was still able to earn an impressive away win against today's visitors, coming from 11-0 down to win 14-11 thanks to a Samu Vunisa try and three penalties, and had the spirit to earn a home win against Gloucester when down to 14 men. 

 

That said, a full strength line up will make the difference in a number of areas. The scrum has tended to stay relatively strong, in the main, as Richard Barrington has proved an able deputy for Mako Vunipola, and Jared Saunders had an excellent game at hooker against Gloucester, and subsequently during Schalk Brits' suspension, whilst Petrus du Plessis has continued his remarkable consistency. However, the principal concern in some games has been the number of missed tackles, reportedly there were 40 last week, and the number of line breaks sides have enjoyed by running straight and direct at the Saracens' defence, shown to devastating effect by Wasps, and subsequently in the draw at Sale and defeat to Northampton. Even though the lineout has remained strong under the charge of Hayden Smith, Alistair Hargreaves and Jim Hamilton, George Kruis and Maro Itoje are at the peak of their form, and should contribute to an improvement in the points against and the metres which sides are currently making against Saracens. Switching to the back row, and Billy Vunipola's ball carrying ability has been sorely missed as well as his presence in defence. Switching to the back line, the half back selections have been hampered not only by Owen Farrell's call up, but by injuries to Charlie Hodgson and Richard Wigglesworth, although the latter returned to action at Welford Road. Nils Mordt has slotted in, but was unable to orchestrate the game in the way that Farrell is able to do so, particularly from the perspective of the kicking game. Mike Ellery has made the most of his extended chance on the wing, whilst Chris Wyles and Brad Barritt have provided a consistent presence too, and Nick Tompkins has dovetailed effectively with Taylor.

 

But, it's not all about ability but quick-thinking and accuracy. There has been no shortage of effort, but the instinctive play and big match temperament of someone like Farrell is vital in determining games which can sometimes be down to small margins. Equally, the detection of a chance and sharp runs from deep from Goode and Taylor have been a vital ingredient, and hopefully both of them have topped up their air miles in the last few weeks ahead of a match in which effective counter-attacking play may be vital. Defensively, the reversion to a full-strength pack should hopefully avoid the defensive errors and breakdown penalties which have surfaced at times in recent weeks. The calmness under pressure of the international contingent should hopefully lead to an improvement in discipline and an end to the recent rash of costly sin-binnings. Hence, bringing these aspects together, Saracens should be able to control their forthcoming games more, which bodes well to hanging onto a top two finish and progressing in the European Rugby Champions Cup, for which they are now clear favourites.

 

For all that, Exeter remain a formidable proposition. Since that last meeting of the sides on 7 February, when Sarries prevailed 14-11 at Sandy Park, ending a 13 month unbeaten home record, the Chiefs have won four from six, and claimed losing bonus points from trips to Sale and Leicester. The point at Sale came in a 23-17 defeat after the visitors had trailed 17-0 at the break having struggled with the Sharks' pacy attack. Exeter have a free-flowing attack of their own, particularly with Henry Slade and  Jack Nowell back in their ranks, but it was defensive strength which eked out a 22-15 win at a London Irish side which caused the visitors plenty of problems. Continuing their dominance in the scrum, they claimed a 26-17 home win over Bath. they might have lost 31-27 at Leicester, but it was a quite remarkable fightback from 31-6 down, as the pack started to cause problems in the driving maul. Back in Devon, fly half Gareth Steenson became the club's record points scorer on the 32-17 win over Newcastle Falcons, and last Sunday saw a clear advantage in possession and territory, and a strong defensive effort, yield an important 21-10 home win over Northampton. 

 

Moving to potential line ups, given the magnitude of this game, the internationals should all return, ahead of some possible modifications for the following match at Bath, sandwiched as it is between this contest and the Quarter Final. Goode should be a full back, with Ellery and Wyles remaining on the wings, and a centre partnership of Taylor and Barritt. Farrell should come back in at fly half alongside Wigglesworth. Into the forwards. and Mako Vunipola will be back at loosehead, with Schalk Brits at hooker and Petrus du Plessis at tighthead, Kruis and Itoje forming the second row,and a back row of Michael Rhodes, Will Fraser and Billy Vunipola. 

Rob Baxter has tended to change his starting XV fairly readily, but, as with Saracens, has generally managed to deliver results, most notably in Europe when they dramatically sealed a Quarter Final place. There are plenty of tries in the side, shown by the six try bonus points accumulated, as they pose a threat in open play, given their exciting backline, and astute kicking game of Steenson, as well as some opportunistic scores of late from scrum half Dave Lewis, but also have an unfailing threat of the rolling maul with leading try scorer Thomas Waldrom at the heart of it. A possible starting XV has Lachie Turner at full back, with Nowell and Jaes Short on the wings, outside a central duo of Slade and Sam Hill. Steenson will be at fly half alongside Lewis. Pack-wise, Ben Moon, Luke Cowan-Dickie and Harry Williams are a potential front row, with Ollie Atkins and Geoff Parling in the second row and a back row comprised of Dave Ewers, Don Armand and Waldrom.

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