Saints vs Saracens - Friday 1945

[Adam_P]

Saints

15 George Furbank
14 Tommy Freeman
13 Burger Odendaal
12 Fraser Dingwall
11 Ollie Sleightholme
10 Fin Smith
9 Alex Mitchell

1 Alex Waller
2 Curtis Langdon
3 Trevor Davison
4 Alex Moon
5 Alex Coles
6 Courtney Lawes (c)
7 Tom Pearson
8 Juarno Augustus

Replacements:
16 Sam Matavesi
17 Emmanuel Iyogun
18 Elliot Millar Mills
19 Temo Mayanavanua
20 Sam Graham
21 Lewis Ludlam
22 Tom James
23 George Hendy

Saracens

1 Mako Vunipola
2 Jamie George
3 Marco Riccioni
4 Maro Itoje
5 Nick Isiekwe
6 Juan Martin Gonzalez
7 Ben Earl
8 Billy Vunipola
9 Ivan van Zyl
10 Owen Farrell (c)
11 Tom Parton
12 Nick Tompkins
13 Lucio Cinti
14 Alex Lewington
15 Elliot Daly

Replacements:

16 Theo Dan
17 Eroni Mawi
18 Ollie Hoskins
19 Hugh Tizard
20 Theo McFarland
21 Tom Willis
22 Aled Davies
23 Alex Lozowski

[Adam_P]

Happy with that Saints side, pretty much exactly what I'd pick. Though part of me would be tempted to start Hendy and put Freeman to 13, think Hendy is a game changing type of player. But Odendaal does bring some all important grit and physicality.

Very good to have Pearson back.

[Banquo]

Happy with that Saints side, pretty much exactly what I'd pick. Though part of me would be tempted to start Hendy and put Freeman to 13, think Hendy is a game changing type of player. But Odendaal does bring some all important grit and physicality.

Very good to have Pearson back.

Odendaal has been a bit hit and miss tbh

[Mikey Brown]

A couple of interesting changes on both sides. I thought Willis had firmly won back the 8 shirt for example. Is Isiekwe generally a starter these days? Maybe he'll have some inside knowledge on the Saints line-out.

Augustus seemed out of favour too, and with Pearson only just (I think?) back from injury that could be an interesting selection. It's so odd to me seeing Ludlam benched for Northampton.

Fantastic for a few of those young Saints backs to get another taste of knockout rugby at this level. I'm sure we'll be treated to every 'master & apprentice' cliche under the sun whenever Smith or Farrell are involved.

[FKAS]

No Alex Goode for Sarries is a blow. Fantastic player for knock out rugby games with his experience and skillset.

Nick Isiekwe ahead of Tizard perhaps hinting at Sarries wanting to go after the Saints lineout. Saints have some fantastic first phase moves and Sarries maybe not wanting them to get into their stride and build attacking momentum.

[Adam_P]

Happy with that Saints side, pretty much exactly what I'd pick. Though part of me would be tempted to start Hendy and put Freeman to 13, think Hendy is a game changing type of player. But Odendaal does bring some all important grit and physicality.

Very good to have Pearson back.

Odendaal has been a bit hit and miss tbh

He has - but his last few games have been good.

If I was a Saracens fan I think I'd be a bit miffed at the selection of Billy over Willis, and Isikwe over McFarland.

[switchskier]

Is it just me or is that quite a ponderous back three for Sarries? The side picked, including the starters over bench options, suggest a very direct approach about to be deployed. Could be grim watching.

[FKAS]

Is it just me or is that quite a ponderous back three for Sarries? The side picked, including the starters over bench options, suggest a very direct approach about to be deployed. Could be grim watching.

That back three is about as quick as it gets for Sarries, maybe Segun in for Lewington to up the pace a bit more but Lewington is a better all rounder. Daly is pretty quick still and Parton is far from ponderous. Compared to what Saints are putting out it's not particularly exciting mind

[Timbo]

Augustus seemed out of favour too, and with Pearson only just (I think?) back from injury that could be an interesting selection. It's so odd to me seeing Ludlam benched for Northampton.

I’d imagine Augustus has played his way into a starting shirt after his outstanding performance against Leinster. I like Ludlam & is obviously a leader for Saints, but to my mind Pearson is just a better overall player.

[Mikey Brown]

Fair enough. I like Pearson and think his potential is fantastic, but I hadn't got the impression he'd really hit his stride with Saints, but maybe that was just early on in the season. That Graham guy seems to have been a favourite but can't say I notice him much.

Anyway Ludlam is off and Pearson v Earl should be interesting.

[fivepointer]

Really hope Saints do it but i've a nagging feeling that Saracens big game experience just might swing it their way.

[FKAS]

The Ice Man not kicking tonight. Could be a significant blow for Sarries that.

[twitchy]

Austin sounds like he is talking through a webcam mic.

[twitchy]

Great try.

[FKAS]

What a line by Odendaal, backs Furbank to make the tough pass and then scores the try.

[Oakboy]

All the marginal decisions are going one way.

[twitchy]

Icey hands.

[Adam_P]

Classy Saracens fan screaming out during the silence for Smith's penalty. Dickhead

[Adam_P]

Big kick from Pearson

[FKAS]

Classy Saracens fan screaming out during the silence for Smith's penalty. Dickhead

Austin reckoned he'd been ejected. I hope so.

[Adam_P]

Classy Saracens fan screaming out during the silence for Smith's penalty. Dickhead

Austin reckoned he'd been ejected. I hope so.

What a way to waste a load of money!

[Adam_P]

Bit of a nervy start to the game with not a lot of possession for us, but we started building momentum well up until half time. Hopefully get a few more tries over the line as legs tire.

[FKAS]

That penalty gives Saints a 9 point lead but if they'd opted for the 5m scrum they've been dominant there all game so the Sarries backrow has to stay on and Saints first phase play surely good enough for a try.

[Adam_P]

Daly cannot continue to play for England

[p/d]

The Ice Man not kicking tonight. Could be a significant blow for Sarries that.

………. and Mels said you don’t have a sense of humour