Racing v Saracens Sat 1pm

[fivepointer]

Racing 92: Zebo; Thomas, Vakatawa, Klemenczak, Imhoff; Russell, Iribaren (c); Ben Arous, Chat, Colombe, Bird, Ryan, Lauret, Sanconnie, Claassen

Replacements: Baubigny, Kolingar, Oz, Palu, Chouzenoux, Machenaud, Gibert, Trinh-Duc

Saracens: Daly; Lewington, Taylor, Barritt (c), Maitland; Goode, Wigglesworth; M Vunipola, George, Koch; Itoje, Swinson; Rhodes, Wray, B Vunipola.

Replacements: Woolstencroft, Barrington, Clarey, Hunter-Hill, Clark, Davies, M Vunipola, Morris.

[Puja]

It's been a brave effort from Saracens, but it's hard to see them going further than this. The likes of Lewington, Taylor, Wigglesworth, Swinson, Rhodes, and Wray are just not good enough (at this stage in their careers for some of them) to take on this Racing side. One or two of them, maybe, but a team containing 6 of them just won't have the quality needed.

Mind, Saracens do play their systems incredibly well and they do often come up to more than the sum of their parts, so I hope to be wrong.

Puja

[paddy no 11]

They still have a stronger pack than racing which is where games are won

A lot depends on whether zebo and thomas phone it in or play to their ability

Chat is some operator

[Mellsblue]

Chat is superb. Sarries’ bench is beyond weak.

[fivepointer]

It's been a brave effort from Saracens, but it's hard to see them going further than this. The likes of Lewington, Taylor, Wigglesworth, Swinson, Rhodes, and Wray are just not good enough (at this stage in their careers for some of them) to take on this Racing side. One or two of them, maybe, but a team containing 6 of them just won't have the quality needed.

Mind, Saracens do play their systems incredibly well and they do often come up to more than the sum of their parts, so I hope to be wrong.

Puja

I thought that last week......

Suspect Racing will be a step too far.

[Timbo]

Particularly with Le Roux out I’d still say Sarries starting pack is a bit better than Racings.

With the players Sarries have lost and with their weaker bench I don’t think they can win a looser game, so it’ll be dependant on whether Sarries can control the tempo and make it a scrap. Problem is I don’t think I’ve ever seen a slow game on that pitch, in that stadium.

[Digby]

Owens is still good comedy value

[Mellsblue]

He’s pinged a failure to use it. He can get every other decision wrong and I’ll still claim he had a good game.

[FKAS]

Owens is still good comedy value

I thought some of his ruck decisions weren't the best so far, however, penalising the scrum half for being too slow at the breakdown means all is forgiven. So refreshing to see a ref use that and he completely right to do so.

[loudnconfident]

Owens is still good comedy value

Kudos to him though for pinging the slow "use it"!

[loudnconfident]

Owens is still good comedy value

I thought some of his ruck decisions weren't the best so far, however, penalising the scrum half for being too slow at the breakdown means all is forgiven. So refreshing to see a ref use that and he completely right to do so.

Indeed. First time I've seen that and Owens had called use it multiple times

[Mellsblue]

Superb from Maitland.

[Mr Mwenda]

Saracens doing well to impose their sort of game. Very stop start.

[Mellsblue]

My thoughts on the fourth official’s top knot are the complete opposite to my thoughts on Owens pinging for a failure to use it.

[francoisfou]

Owens is still good comedy value

Did I hear him speak a few words of French?

[Epaminondas Pules]

Why’s that not a yellow? Goes one handed and stops the attack. Always thought that a likely yellow.

[loudnconfident]

Super tackle

[loudnconfident]

Is the sarries scrum that good? Leinster and now Racing..

[Banquo]

So much off the ball being missed.

Lewington butchered that a bit

[Mikey Brown]

Is the sarries scrum that good? Leinster and now Racing..

Tim Swinson. I’m telling you.

[Banquo]

Why’s that not a yellow? Goes one handed and stops the attack. Always thought that a likely yellow.

Yep.

[Mr Mwenda]

This game is taking an awfully long time.

[Banquo]

Barritt out would be a huge blow

[Banquo]

Daft pens by Sarries - pressure

[Mr Mwenda]

Barritt off, Racing find a hole...