Saracens
Newcastle Falcons v Saracens Premiership Cup Preview
Our future
By saracensfan62
January 25 2026
Off the back of an excellent win at the StoneX vs Newcastle; cue yet another cheeky Saracens admin video, crushing a red bull tin with a rugby boot, do check it out if you find that interesting, we arrive back at the point when the Six Nations break is upon us — and with it a rotated Premiership Cup fixture as we head north to Kingston Park. Well, let us not dwell on how quickly time goes by. This upcoming Friday we have the challenge of heading North and playing the Red Bulls again (twice in less than one week, whoever suggested our fixtures needs a talking to…). Kingston Park is no easy place to win anymore. Newcastle have newfound belief in themselves with their recruitment drive. In previous cup rounds and indeed previous years/iterations, Sarries especially have used the Premiership Cup as an opportunity to blood emerging players as senior first team players get a chance for either the international period or a small break from the regular season. Falcons on the other hand tend to go in full strength for most Cup games, and since 3 teams in Pool B are currently teetering on the edge of that hotly contested 2nd place spot (Saints, Newcastle and us!). For now, Leicester seem to have cemented their place in 1st and it doesn’t look like that is going to change. This game could be a vital one in determining who gets that 2nd play-off spot. They will be looking for revenge after the 73-14 hammering and it seems that they have the perfect opportunity to get one-up on us. Alternatively, we could be ruthless and rub salt into their already open wounds. You never really know what Saracens side turns up now, just adds to the air of unpredictability I suppose!
Tactical Considerations
I expect Sarries will use early territory/good attacking structure and a lot of competitive kicking to win this one. We will look to build a solid platform through direct carrying and structured phases from our forward pack. A patient forward game will help control possession. Our game could really hinge on field position through the boot of the likes of Louis Johnson. I think we can expect tactical clearing kicks and some contestable kicks to pin Newcastle deep. Not forgetting the Caluori factor, of course.
The weaknesses I expect Newcastle will try and exploit include some items so very simple - Saracens team selection and the set piece+rucks. Our cup team may lack the cohesion compared to usual first-team combinations (maybe not as much of late in the first team sadly), leading to misreads in defence or on the counter. Starting relatively young playmakers at 9 and 10 (e.g. Charlie Bracken and Louis Johnson) gives rise to fresh ideas and play yes, but also perhaps more basic errors and knock-ons, dropped balls which could give the Red Bulls a shot at a counter attack.
With youth players in the front row, Saracens may struggle for consistent scrums/lineout/maul outcomes. Much of our threat comes from first phase play and breaking the gainline early, so if this cannot be achieved, Newcastle will have successfully eliminated one of our most dangerous aspects of play.
I expect Newcastle will attempt to use a physical forward platform and quick transition play to try and catch Sarries off-guard. Newcastle often move towards building momentum through forwards and quick, hard forward carries off the base. They will bring fiery intensity and enthusiasm so I expect we will be able to see some good, flowing attacking play.
With the likes of Benitez-Cruz, Brett Connon etc, we can expect some speedy distribution into the exciting Newcastle backline to stretch our defence.
The weaknesses I expect we will try to exploit are Newcastle’s inconsistent and easily penetrable defence, and Newcastle’s lack of depth on the bench. Newcastle’s defence is erratic and very patchy. They’ve conceded by far the most points in the Premiership (366 over 9 games, an average of over 40 per game). Admittedly they have fared significantly better in the Premiership Cup – only 81 points over 4 games but the stats really speak for themselves. They don’t have many problems scoring points, but if they could only strengthen their defence, they could become a really good side. Saracens academy depth is strong, so if Newcastle cannot force the errors to capitalise on, they won’t be able to find many points. The Newcastle bench is not all that good at bringing fresh energy and lifting the team, as shown by their weaker final quarter performances. There have been 5 occasions so far this season when Newcastle have either been leading or within 10 points of their opposition, and have gone on to lose by 20 or more points.
Newcastle’s Transfers
I thought it would be worth mentioning a section on Newcastle’s immense recruitment and signing drive of late. I’ll admit it’s very impressive. Cam Jordan has signed from Gloucester ahead of the 2026-27 season, Fehi Fineanganofo will join from Hurricanes in NZ, Raffi Quirke from Sale, Ruis Tuima has joined from Exeter, Brett Connon has re-signed, Adam Brocklebank has re-signed, Ollie Leatherbarrow has re-signed. The list goes on. Newcastle really are building a dynasty for the future with numerous young names joining and key existing players staying on.
Key Player Matchups
George McGuigan vs James Hadfield – battle of the hookers! Both are experienced and well-drilled lineout operators with bullet-like darts.
George McGuigan is veteran hooker with over 179 senior club appearances and captaincy responsibility at Newcastle Red Bulls, plus he brings plenty of leadership and set-piece savvy to the squad. He has scored numerous tries in Premiership rugby (one of the top scorers in the 2021-22 season I think!) and is known for strong lineout throwing and physicality at the breakdown. McGuigan combines set-piece reliability with aggressive ball–carrying and support play — giving Newcastle extra options close to the gain line.
A younger hooker at Saracens, Hadfield has impressed in Cup (and some first-team) appearances. His stats show a knack for defenders beaten, clean breaks and tackles, suggesting confidence in open play — not just scrummaging which at Sarries, we have embraced for years with the likes of Schalk Brits. Hadfield is building his reputation as a dynamic carrier and reliable set-piece operator.
Head-to-Head
- Lineouts: Set-piece strikes will be key — McGuigan’s experience could give Newcastle an edge, while Hadfield will look to match his accuracy and contest at the front. Newcastle rely much more on their maul than Saracens, it’ll be interesting to see if we can match their physicality there.
- Open Play: Hadfield’s recent ball-carrying stats indicate he’ll aim to offer go-forward and support off the base, whereas McGuigan’s mammoth tackle count and try-scoring threat can break through defensive lines if Saracens miss tackles.
- Overall Duel: A battle between McGuigan’s experience + physicality and Hadfield’s more youthful dynamism. Whichever hooker dictates the ruck and lineout flow could tilt forward momentum.
Brett Connon vs Louis Johnson – A long-serving Newcastle fly-half, Brett Connon has over 140 club caps and significant kicking points (748+). He’s also comfortable at 15 if needed and brings intelligent game management. Connon is known for consistent tactical kicking, composure under pressure, and territory control. He kicked Newcastle to a Premiership win over Saracens in 2024 and often stewards his team’s attacking rhythm.
Louis Johnson is a young fly-half/full-back signed by Saracens after progressing through the Newcastle academy (so this will be a familiar ground for him). An England U20 international, Johnson has shown temperament and tactical awareness in his rugby indicative of someone far more mature than him. Johnson blends creative attacking instincts with a strong kicking game. His ability to step outside the line and strike cross-field makes him a stretch threat.
Head-to-Head
- Territory Game: Connon will aim to use his boot to control territory and slow Saracens’ attacking rhythm, forcing them deep in their own half and making them run from deep. Johnson will counter by kicking with aggression to find space, access Caluori’s aerial threat and invite pressure onto the Newcastle back 3.
- Playmaking: Connon’s experience in guiding a team through tight fixtures will test Johnson’s decision-making under pressure — yet Johnson’s flair and pace of ball can disrupt Newcastle’s defensive alignment.
- Overall Duel: A brain vs flair battle — Connon anchoring territory and game control, Johnson probing with creativity and bold kicks.
Sammy Arnold vs Olly Hartley – both centres are similar in their style. Sammy Arnold is a veteran Irish centre with some international experience (Ireland U20 caps) and a strong club career across Munster, Connacht, Ulster and now Newcastle. Arnold is a powerful ball carrier, solid in defence, and brings experience and physical midfield presence to Red Bulls. Arnold’s game is built on strong line carries, front-foot contact, and defensive robustness. He’s comfortable in tight channels and will look to dominate Saracens’ central defence.
Olly Hartley is a Saracens centre who has progressed from academy to first team, earning praise for his attack instincts and composure — notably scoring tries in early Champions Cup outings. Originating from Wasps, he made his Premiership debut in 2023 and has been valued for his line-break ability. Hartley offers pace + running angles, with good footwork to create line breaks and support lines. He could, with time, fill the sizeable hole that Brad Barritt left when he retired.
Head-to-Head
- Direct Contact: Arnold’s bigger frame and classic crash ball style will attempt to physically impose in midfield. Hartley must use footwork, angle changes and speed to avoid going head-to-head in direct collisions.
- Distribution: Hartley’s ability to link with Saracens’ back three and fly-half will be a key part of turning Arnold’s physicality into space for overlap.
- Defensive Matchup: Arnold’s task is to hold the midfield line and prevent Saracens line breaks; especially with the fast-feet of the likes of Segun etc. Hartley will be seeking to exploit uneven defensive reads and isolate lighter midfield defenders, perhaps looking more at the likes of Obatoyinbo and Connon.
Selection and Talking Points
I am going to attempt to predict the lineups for both sides, we shall see how it goes! It is trickier as its international period and many players are absent/away with injuries etc.
My predicted Saracens lineup:
15 – Luke Davidson
14 – Roti Segun
13 - Sam Spink
12 – Olly Hartley
11 – Noah Caluori
10 – Louis Johnson
9 - Charlie Bracken
8 - Nathan Michelow
7 - Charlie West
6 - Tayo Adegbemile
5 - Olamide Sodeke
4 - Harry Wilson (c)
3 - Tietie Tuimauga
2 – James Hadfield
1 – Eroni Mawi
16 – Eoghan Clarke
17 – Alex O’Driscoll
18 - Harvey Beaton
19 - Kennedy Sylvester
20 - Reggie Hammick
21 - Ivan van Zyl
22 - Lucio Cinti
23 – Brandon Jackson
Unavailable with Internationals – Fergus Burke, Rhys Carre, Nick Tompkins, Marco Riccioni, Jamie George, Theo Dan, Maro Itoje, Nick Isiekwe, Ben Earl, Elliott Daly, Tom Willis.
And my predicted Newcastle lineup:
15 – Ethan Grayson
14 – Elliott Obatoyinbo
13 – Alex Hearle
12 – Sammy Arnold
11 – Christian Wade
10 – Brett Connon
9 – Simon Benitez-Cruz
8 – Ollie Leatherbarrow
7 – Thomas Gordon
6 – Tom Christie
5 - Jamie Hodgson
4 – Oscar Usher
3 – Richard Palframan
2 – George McGuigan
1 – Murray McCallum
16 – Ollie Fletcher
17 – Adam Brocklebank
18 – Luan de Bruin
19 – Cameron Neild
20 – Adam Scott
21 – James Elliott
22 – Max Clark
23 – Sam Waugh
These predictions are subject to change due to the international break and players leaving/joining the respective camps so forgive me if some of these are incorrect. Especially for Newcastle. I assume they will go full force for this one. IMO they would be a bit daft not to, with few internationals away and the chance to turn Saracens over.
Enjoy, all those who attend the match. It will be a cracker that’s for sure. I hope this one is broadcasted. I won’t be able to get the time off to attend this in-person, lets hope it’s on TV. Come on you Sarries, hope you enjoyed reading this little preview and feel free to start some discussions in the chat below.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:02:12:09:43:16 by Darraghgirl.
Cinti over Spink too as that centre combination is one I'd like to see play the PRC campaign with a view to the Prem.
I'd also play Malins at FullBack. He needs a run of games and as long as he's not on the wing I think the back three benefit from some experience in a similar way to the inclusions of Hadfield and Wilson in the pack. That said I'd be very happy to see more of Davidson too who sounds like he's quite a talent.
A shame Brantingham seems unavailable and it will potentially be a big game for Johnson playing his old team.
Hall was doing the kicking challenge at half time so might he be an option on the wing.
Knight and Elliott still out I guess.
I think you're likely right that NRB will go pretty much the same team again. In some ways the changes in our team probably make this an easier game to prepare for as they can focus on what they need to improve in their game rather than what we'll bring as it will likely be quite different from this weekend.
Our attack worked well but was very lateral whereas a selection like yours above has more options to go through the middle. So if they respond to the last game by setting a wider defence we could well reap the rewards by going direct more.
I think Christie re West could be another key match up in the backrow.
Overall really looking forward to it although it's not clear if there'll be any way to watch it live.
Strictly speaking Fergus will be available but can’t see him being needed. Oscar Wilson could be at centre if Spink injured. Brandon Jackson will play rather than Calouri.
Nick Isiekwe has played very little lately so might get thrown in as an old head to steady the ship.
Do you know what the situation is with Knight.
It'll also be interesting to see how strong clubs go from this point.
Historically those with less to play for in the Prem/Europe start playing pretty much their Prem sides at this point.
All of our academy players have been stripped by other clubs over the last couple of seasons so the b team isn’t great. Not sure you’ll need any of your star players for this game!
——-
Facing Saracens again this Friday as they travel to the North East in the PREM Cup, Dickens said: “We’ve now got a month or so of PREM Cup games, and we’ll refresh the squad during that period.
“There are guys who have played a lot of rugby, some who are itching for game time and it’s always a chance to help drive the competition within the group.”
If not, my predicted line up:
Brantingham
Clarke
Beaton
H.Wilson
Soedeke
Adegbemi
West
Michelow
Simpson
Johnson
O.Wilson
Hartley
Spink
Jackson
Hall
I imagine the likes of Malins, Cinti etc will be given a couple of weeks off and come in to the mox towards the end of the block.
Quote:saracensfan62
Thought Tompkins was called up to the Wales squad, David?
Not on the list I saw, and not announced by the Club when Carre was.
Backs: Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby), Sam Costelow (Scarlets), Dan Edwards (Ospreys), Jarrod Evans (Harlequins), Mason Grady (Cardiff Rugby), Kieran Hardy (Ospreys), Gabriel Hamer-Webb (Leicester Tigers), Joe Hawkins (Scarlets), Louie Hennessey (Bath Rugby), Eddie James (Scarlets), Ellis Mee (Scarlets), Reuben Morgan-Williams (Ospreys), Blair Murray (Scarlets), Louis Rees-Zammit (Bristol Bears), Tom Rogers (Scarlets), Ben Thomas (Cardiff Rugby), Owen Watkin (Ospreys), Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby)
Quote:saracensfan62
Thought Tompkins was called up to the Wales squad, David?
I love your articles Saracensfan62, but I've got no idea where you get your info half the time ha!
Sadly Sam must be crocked again and hard to imagine his race isn’t run with us. Delighted to see Phil B back
As for where I found my info, the majority of it is either premiership website for stats, sometimes rugbypass, the RFU website and my own knowledge and ideas. Sometimes its educated guesswork if I cannot find relevant info!
NRB much weaker than I thought they'd be but Northumbrian13 was spot on with the relative strengths so thanks for the local knowledge.
I like the look of our team a lot and it feels like a good combination of youth and some experience.
Great to see some returnees too. Hopefully Brantingham and Johnson have a good return to their previous rugby home and we see a promising performance.
Win both remaining home games in the next 2 weeks and should qualify
Looking forward to next week now.
Reckon we should be putting more emphasis on the cup now, if we can beat Quins and Tigers at Stonex, we stand a very good chance of qualifiying for the knockouts
Quote:Surbiton Sarries
Pity about Saints getting a 5 point win.
+1
Gives them something to play for as 2nd now achievable depending on results. Also means Tigers unlikely to send a weaker team to their other fixture as it's not sown up for them either.
Good to have a bit of pressure though.
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