Tigers Vs Sarries

[FKAS]

I'm not really sure what to make of this selection. I expected some rotation but this is quite a bit. Presumably we are looking to engage in the kicking game but look to have a strong counter attack option open. Unsure Kobus will help with that as he's been woeful to date, particularly under the high ball.

STARTING XV
15 Freddie Burns [74]
14 Kobus van Wyk [14] *
13 Guy Porter [19]
12 Dan Kelly [22]
11 Hosea Saumaki **
10 George Ford [107]
9 Ben Youngs [266]
1 Francois van Wyk [2]
2 Nic Dolly [4]
3 Dan Cole [266]
4 Calum Green [62]
5 Ollie Chessum [10]
6 George Martin [19]
7 Tommy Reffell [49]
8 Hanro Liebenberg (c) [38]
REPLACEMENTS
16 Tom Cowan-Dickie [1]
17 Ellis Genge [91]
18 Nephi Leatigaga [43]
19 Harry Wells [126]
20 Cameron Henderson [17]
21 Jack van Poortvliet [23]
22. Juan Pablo Socino
23. Freddie Steward

Saracens Men team to play Leicester Tigers:

1 Ralph Adams-Hale

2 Jamie George

3 Marco Riccioni

4 Nick Isiekwe

5 Tim Swinson

6 Jackson Wray

7 Ben Earl

8 Billy Vunipola

9 Aled Davies

10 Owen Farrell (c)

11 Rotimi Segun

12 Nick Tompkins

13 Alex Lozowski

14 Alex Lewington

15 Max Malins

Replacements:

16 Tom Woolstencroft

17 Eroni Mawi

18 Alec Clarey

19 Callum Hunter-Hill

20 Andy Christie

21 Joe Simpson

22 Alex Goode

23 Dom Morris

Farrell is back for Sarries as are Malins, Goode and George. I think they may look to play a little more than we've lined up expecting.

[Peej]

I get not over playing Steward, but if there's one team you'd want solidity at the back against it's Sarries, no?

Poor Loz. Man of the match, can't buold on it as its a bye week, then pushed out to 13.

[FKAS]

Agreed Peej. I'd have started Steward for this one and then possibly rotated against either LI or Wuss. The only thing I can think of is that maybe he had a heavy session with England earlier in the week and Borthwick wants to just lighten the load slightly.

I think Lozowski is best at 13. He's quick, a lot quicker than he appears so has the outside break and the ability to cover in defence. Farrell doesn't have great range with his passing so being able to play narrow off a direct running 12 or inside runner is normally where he likes to be but Lozowski gives him the option of moving the ball wide comfortably via the 13 channel. Sarries back three does have pace.

[Puja]

That lineup is genuinely baffling to me. I can't believe that we're planning on throwing this game, as it is eminently winnable and one that we should be targetting, but it beggars belief not to be playing Genge, Steward, Wells, Nadolo, etc. The only thing I can think of is that we've prioritised training for this game this week and so Genge and Steward are out as they were away with England.

I hope we're not going to try the Bristol plan of fighting kicking with kicking. I can't see that ending well.

Puja

[fivepointer]

I too find it a bit odd Genge and Steward arent starting. I'd have thought Tigers would want to make a statement and put out their strongest available side.
More Lions back for Saracens in a side that looks strong all round.

[Scrumhead]

That lineup is genuinely baffling to me. I can't believe that we're planning on throwing this game, as it is eminently winnable and one that we should be targetting, but it beggars belief not to be playing Genge, Steward, Wells, Nadolo, etc. The only thing I can think of is that we've prioritised training for this game this week and so Genge and Steward are out as they were away with England.

I hope we're not going to try the Bristol plan of fighting kicking with kicking. I can't see that ending well.

Puja

Same … although at least Ford is better equipped for that than Sheedy.

[FKAS]

That lineup is genuinely baffling to me. I can't believe that we're planning on throwing this game, as it is eminently winnable and one that we should be targetting, but it beggars belief not to be playing Genge, Steward, Wells, Nadolo, etc. The only thing I can think of is that we've prioritised training for this game this week and so Genge and Steward are out as they were away with England.

I hope we're not going to try the Bristol plan of fighting kicking with kicking. I can't see that ending well.

Puja

I suspect we're going to play the conditions and try to make it an arm wrestle in the first half. Look to try and tire the Sarries forwards and then unload our bench and look to exploit the weaker Sarries forwards on the bench. Sarries starting forwards are good though so we're going to have to go some. Expect a real attritional first half from us. Sort of like we did Vs Ulster.

Genge, Leatigaga, Wells, JVP and Socino could all provide additional go forward against tiring legs.

[Tigersman]

Expect a comfortable Sarries win here.
I suspect Genge and Steward not training with the group this week might have affected some calls.
Saumaki for Nadolo makes sense IMO, Nadolo struggles somewhat with the turning to cover kicks espcially the 50/22.
But Potter should IMO be starting on the other wing still
Porter for Scott isn't too big a drop.
Wells should be starting IMO
Chessum at lock is interesting 6ft 7 and 18 stone 8 he's certainly a lock build but his first prem game at the position.
Would've start Leatigaga at loosehead with Heyes on the bench

[FKAS]

Expect a comfortable Sarries win here.
I suspect Genge and Steward not training with the group this week might have affected some calls.
Saumaki for Nadolo makes sense IMO, Nadolo struggles somewhat with the turning to cover kicks espcially the 50/22.
But Potter should IMO be starting on the other wing still
Porter for Scott isn't too big a drop.
Wells should be starting IMO
Chessum at lock is interesting 6ft 7 and 18 stone 8 he's certainly a lock build but his first prem game at the position.
Would've start Leatigaga at loosehead with Heyes on the bench

Re Chessum he came on into the row off the bench Vs Glaws, played in the row for England under 20s, Tigers academy and Nottingham previously. Really he's only played backrow to acclimatise to Prem rugby. He looked good in pre season at lock. I'm looking forward to seeing how he goes.

[twitchy]

What do you guys think of Adams-Hale? Charlie Morgan was talking him up last weekend.

[FKAS]

What do you guys think of Adams-Hale? Charlie Morgan was talking him up last weekend.

The Sarries front row looked pretty handy against Bristol but Bristol were missing Sinckler. Sarries have a good track record for getting hold of competent props at a good price so I'm not expecting an easy day at the office for Cole.

[fivepointer]

R A-H looks a good player to me.

He looks very solid in the scrums and is no slouch in the loose. He's done well to come back from a very serious injury and at 24 has time to develop further.

Good test up against Cole.

[Mellsblue]

Sarries have a good track record for getting hold of competent props at a good price so I'm not expecting an easy day at the office for Cole.

He came through Sarries’ academy. He was looking great until the injury. Iirc, he made his debut as a replacement in the Prem final and, despite people worrying it was a case of being thrown in the deep end, he looked to the manor born.

[twitchy]

Great atmosphere.

[FKAS]

Always is at WR.

Tigers are second best in the kick battle and this is not being helped by Ridley happy for Sarries to be off their feet and still competing.

Tigers desperately need to drop out wingers deep so we can contest kicks and support the catcher.

[FKAS]

Davies pushes the ref there. Surely you can't be doing that.

[francoisfou]

Stream?

[FKAS]

Stream?

You don't want one.

[FKAS]

Ridley and his assistant somehow miss the Sarries 17 tackle the rolling maul. He then shoves Dan Cole on the floor for no obvious reason and Ridley gives a penalty.

3-9 at half time. Low on quality from all involved, Sarries on top in the wet.

[Scrumhead]

Crazy finish to that game. I reckon Dan Kelly will get cited for his forearm shot on Aled Davies in the tackle that led to that final penalty.

[FKAS]

Crazy finish to that game. I reckon Dan Kelly will get cited for his forearm shot on Aled Davies in the tackle that led to that final penalty.

Yeah the officials pinged Davies for virtually the same thing that Kelly does in retaliation. The only thing that might save Kelly is that the forearm is the secondary contact.

Borthwick did pretty much what I said he would. Stodgy first half and then turned it on in the second half. I don't think his plans would have had the mass of errors that Tigers produced though.

[francoisfou]

Stream?

You don't want one.

I'm pleased I finally got one!!

[FKAS]

Stream?

You don't want one.

I'm pleased I finally got one!!

Yes the end was worth watching.

[FKAS]

Actually having seen the replay Kelly will do well not to cop a ban.

[Puja]

Actually having seen the replay Kelly will do well not to cop a ban.

Yeah, I'm glad Ridley didn't have a good look at Kelly - that should've been penalty reversed.

Weird game - I don't know why both teams that have played Saracens have decided that the best thing to do is to try and out-Saracens them. Didn't work for Briz and it really shouldn't have worked for us. We looked very ropey and were lucky to win, although counter-intuitively, we shouldn't have left it to the last minute as we should have finished off those penalties near their line earlier in the half.

Chessum looked good - wasn't out of place at all and a nuisance on Saracens' lineout. Burns at 15 was a mistake, as was playing both Van Wyks and not having Genge and Scott. However, we did win, so selection vindicated, I guess. IBWT. Until we lose, then sack the bastard .

Puja