Gloucester Vs Saracens Preview

The Shed awaits
By Gareth Steed
October 4 2002

With Jason busy with work this week, I thought I’d give this writing lark a go. Come on – how difficult can it be? No more difficult than Saracens beating Gloucester at Kingsholme.

Yes, you’ve guessed it. The Men in Black travel to Castle Grim for round 6 of the ZP this week, a ground where fortune has never favoured Saracens.

During the whole of the professional era, Saracens have never won at Kingsholme, though honours are pretty much even in total, with Gloucester winning 9 and Saracens 7 out of the last 18 matches, all wins being for the home team!

With Gloucester flying high this season, topping the table without a single defeat - the only glitch being a draw against their old adversaries Bath last weekend - it’s difficult to see any change in that statistic this time round.

Gloucester will be without two of their regular team; Junior Paramore is out with a broken cheekbone and their South African full back Thinus Delport is out with Chicken Pox. Unfortunately, the rumours of the demise of Gommersall, Todd and Vickery appear to have been overexaggerated and it would seem they will be in the starting line-up. Saracens are still missing David Flatman , and still no appearance for the possible Welsh Wizard Craig Quinnell. However, with Christian Califano is set to make his first 1st XV appearance on the bench, Saracens appear to have the luxury of a full set of props this time round, which feels like the first time in years. Other changes to the squad that beat Northampton last week are the welcome return of Brett Sparg on the bench for Adrian Winnan, who’s being rested, and Thomas Castaingede starting as Full Back. Morgan Williams starts again as no. 9, once more pushing England’s no. 9, Kyran Bracken, to the bench.

With this squad (Nigel Melville has yet to announce his full squad), Saracens seem to have a good solid side on paper. Gloucester, even without 2 of their regulars, still have a wealth of talent to fall back on, with the likes of ‘Ludo’ Mercier, Forrester and Jake Boer still in the team. This is going to be a game that will come down to attrition, strength and, with the kicking skills of both Mercier and Andy Goode, discipline.

I believe this will be a close match, as is often the case with Gloucester vs Saracens matches, but I can’t see Saracens winning this time. Gloucester are confident, even with their draw last week, and have a very tight team. Saracens are still hit and miss. On a good day, they can beat anyone, on a bad day, they can be taken apart. A losing bonus for Saracens, but a win for Gloucester.

Last comment on the preview; The Shed will be making their feeling known to the referee and the players. We need to get there and let it be known that Saracens have fans in the ground too. Let’s make some noise and get behind the team! For those who fear entering the Shed, remember these wise words from Metalica: “Exit light, enter night. Take my hand, we’re off to Never Never land”!! Nope, I don’t know either!