T previews our trip to the Mem and the Welly

By T
September 8 2006

T looks at Saracens' trip to The Memorial Ground this weekend, the 2nd game in the Guinness Premiership season. One should also mention The Wellington, one of the finer pubs on the GP circuit - top place for a pre-game cocktail.

Many have predicted Bristol to struggle this season, including myself so their thumping of Worcester last weekend raised a few eyebrows.

Bristol’s aging pack (how many time will we see that uttered this season?!) Were more than a match for the Worcester ‘Juggernaut’ and destroyed the much vaunted pack at the set piece. With Sarries forwards showing little sign against Wasps of being the dominant pack of last year this could be a very interesting battle and will be key to the final result.

Hints have been dropped for the last week about how close Andy Farrell is to making an appearance, having not played in Mondays A team game it would be a surprise to see him getting his first taste of action in the Guinness Premiership… But stranger things have happened, and a late addition to the bench might not be out of the question.

The only change to the 1st team squad from last week is the hookers rotating around with Byrne starting and Cairns on the bench while it’s Ongaros turn to sit out. The weekend weather forecast looks good which will hopefully give Jackson the chance to carry on where he left off last week. The Jackson of last weekend looks a totally different player now he is relieved of the Diamond shackles, choosing to send runners through gaps of his choosing and pulling the strings for what looks like the makings of a very potent backline that they always suggested they might be.

As for Bristol, Perry is continuing to get the plaudits although last weeks performance was a real team effort with tries shared around. Jason Strange has a great boot on him and will punish Sarries should they be dishing out penalties as frequently as they did last weekend.

It’s an extremely difficult one to call either way it’s too early in the season to discuss new systems or patterns that the teams are using. Tossing a coin will probably be as accurate a barometer as last week’s games to give any clue of the result!