LOCK IS KEY


By Behind the Bench
October 27 2016

After two deeply satisfying results in Europe, which put Saracens only behind Clermont Auvergne in the seedings, the Premiership returns against a Leicester side who have had mixed results lately, but are coming off an excellent home win over Racing 92 in their last outing.  

Whilst much of the comment this week has been around Chris Ashton's departure to Toulon next season, of more pressing concern is that both halves of one of the strongest second row combinations in Europe is now unavailable for several weeks, as both Maro Itoje and George Kruis are out, though of course they would have featured for England in any case. All the same, in an area of the pitch already weakened by the enforced retirement of Alistair Hargreaves, it's even more bitterly ironic that the intended signing of Eben Etzebeth fell through. However, you don't necessarily need to look too far for the optimistic signs given how Nick Tompkins effortlessly slotted in to the 12 spot against the Scarlets, given the last notice unavailability of Brad Barritt and served up a fine performance, scoring a try and contributing to a game which saw Saracens make a mammoth 741 metres, on what was fairly even possession and territory. Now though, it's about adaptability, with Michael Rhodes likely to fill in from the start alongside Jim Hamilton. A strong line up seems likely given that Saracens will want to target a key win given that not only will the Vunipolas, Jamie George, Alex Goode, Owen Farrell, Alex Lozowski and Jackson Wray probably be with England, but Sean Maitland and Duncan Taylor will be with Scotland. Hence, Goode should remain at full back, having made well over 100 metres on Saturday, with Maitland and Chris Wyles on the wings outside Marcelo Bosch and Tompkins, with Farrell continuing alongside Richard Wigglesworth. Elsewhere in the pack, Mako Vunipola, George and Petrus du Plessis should form the front row, and the back row should consist of Kelly Brown, Schalk Burger and Billy Vunipola. 
 
Turning to the Tigers, they were impressive in Sunday's 27-17 home win over Racing 92, taking their tries well, particularly a sumptuous intercept from Freddie Burns, which I saw live at Welford Road, sitting on a bench, rather than behind it for once. Defensively, despite the visitors making more ground, runs and passes, they were restricted to a handful of genuine moves of real threat, knocking on in contact or conceding penalties for holding on as the home back row was inspired, whilst Tom Youngs led the way from hooker with 15 tackles. Hence the weak defending for Dan Carter's clever individual try was out of context. Indeed, their set piece was equally impressive, as four of Racing's 14 lineouts found their way to home hands, which Sarries' modified lock combination will need to be wary of. The price of such a powerful display, though, was injuries to Australian test centre Matt Toomua on home debut, lock Dom Barrow and full back Telusa Veainu, who was stretchered off, adding to the injury already suffered by Mike Williams previously. This win was certainly a stirring response, though, to the heavy defeat on the opening European night when the East Midlands side were demolished 42-13 on Glasgow Warriors' artificial pitch, twice being reduced to 14 men and failing to score in the second half, as the visitors failed to cope with the home side's incisive running game, and only completed 78% of their tackles.
 
Looking specifically at the Premiership, Leicester have never won at Allianz Park, with four straight losses, so perhaps Welford Road won't be next in the queue for a new playing surface. The Tigers' last away win in this fixture was 20-19 in February 2012 at Vicarage Road, which was followed by a 9-9 draw at Wembley and an LV= Cup loss in a fixture moved to Bedford in the 2012/3 transitional season. The first visit to NW4 brought a 49-10 loss in December 2013, ahead of a 22-6 reverse in a late season match in April 2015, and then a 26-6 defeat in January 2016 before returning in the Premiership semi-final and losing 44-17. They opened 2016/7 with a truly remarkable 38-31 win at Gloucester, as they scored 31 unanswered points after going 31-7 down, moving from struggling against the assured handling of their hosts to forcing the territory needed for the win, with Burns making a considerable impact against his former club. Hence, it was a major anti-climax when they suffered a 34-22 home loss to Wasps, before grinding out a 14-13 win at Newcastle Falcons, having being losing 10-0 at one stage. A more dominant forward display set up a 34-14 home success over Bath, in contrast to the 34-30 loss at Sale Sharks, whilst completing the half dozen was a 34-13 home win over Worcester Warriors, thanks to a mixture of the individual brilliance of Veainu and forward power. 
 
Leicester have tended to move their backline around more than most sides, but will be forced into changes in any case. Mathew Tait will probably come in at full back, with Adam Thompstone and JP Pietersen occupying the wings, outside the centre partnership of Peter Betham and Owen Williams, with Burns and Ben Youngs starting in the half backs. Moving to the forwards, the front row should be formed of Marcos Ayerza, Tom Youngs and Dan Cole, with Ed Slater and Graham Kitchener in the second row and a back row comprised of Michael Fitzgerald, Brendon O'Connor and Lachlan McCaffrey. 
 

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LOCK IS KEY
Discussion started by TheSaracens.com , 27/10/2016 08:10
TheSaracens.com
27/10/2016 08:10
Thanks Gerard. Should be another good one!



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2016:11:02:11:21:49 by Darraghgirl.

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TonyTaff
27/10/2016 12:52
Cheers Gerard.

Welford Road is the venue in greatest need of an artificial pitch (Sm6)

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

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Stopsy
27/10/2016 15:28
Many thanks, always good to read a constructive view.

our shiny new pitch this season seems to be a strange shade of brown, some might even say it has a greenish hue as if there was grass or something on it Tony smiling smiley

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