Saracens vs Newcastle

[Puja]

Saracens: Malins; Maitland, Lozowski, Tompkins, Williams; Farrell (capt), Spencer; Barrington, Woolstencroft, Koch, Itoje, Kruis, Rhodes, Burger, Earl.

Replacements: Tolofua, Adams-Hale, Lamositele, Isiekwe, Clark, Whiteley, Morris, Lewington.

Newcastle: Tait; Goneva, Harris, Matavesi, Sinoti; Flood (capt), Takulua; Mulipola, McGuigan, Ah You, Olmstead, Davidson, Graham, Hardie, Chick.

Replacements: Cooper, Lockwood, Wilson, Robinson, Witty, Stuart, Connon, Dunbar

[fivepointer]

Falcons will do very well to get anything out of this. Saracens should be comfortable winners.

[Banquo]

Like to see how Tompkins goes at 12. Or indeed how he and Loz mix it up.

[Timbo]

Like to see how Tompkins goes at 12. Or indeed how he and Loz mix it up.

Earlier in the season when they paired those two it was the other way around- Loz 12, NT 13. I prefer how they’ve got it for this game personally.

[Banquo]

Like to see how Tompkins goes at 12. Or indeed how he and Loz mix it up.

Earlier in the season when they paired those two it was the other way around- Loz 12, NT 13. I prefer how they’ve got it for this game personally.

I'm interested in it, and think it works better that way round for Sarries. Loz's defence at 13 isn't up to much though.

[Scrumhead]

Defending at 13 is always tough and the issues with Lozowski are more positional than anything else. He actually punches well above his weight as a tackler so I’m sure he’ll improve as he understands more about the nuances of defending there.

[Banquo]

Defending at 13 is always tough and the issues with Lozowski are more positional than anything else. He actually punches well above his weight as a tackler so I’m sure he’ll improve as he understands more about the nuances of defending there.

as a 13, I concur with how hard it is, and I agree experience is a part of it. He has had a few mares there though. That's why I'm such a fan of JJ.

[Scrumhead]

Just caught the highlights, Malins had some good moments at 15 by the look of it.

Given Sarries are unlikely to catch Chiefs, it would be nice to see them stick with Tompkins and Lozowski at 12 and 13 with Malins at 15 for the next few games.