Don't You Just LV these early kick offs?

The LV= Cup Semi Final.  Saracens vs Northampton Saints.  Saturday 14 March.  Allianz Park.  With both sides staging comebacks Status Quo would be proud of in last week's Premiership matches, it's now the latest instalment of a fixture which has been played more often lately than Slade at Christmas.  

The Saints' incentive is clear given that the final will be played on Sunday week, in the immediate aftermath of the RBS 6 Nations finale. As already speculated on this board, that prize could influence their team selection, though, as with Saracens, Northampton have tended to view this competition in it's true spirit as a development tournament, most notably in the young side fielded in their solitary defeat at Leicester. Notably, both of their home matches have seen sell-out crowds in keeping with their league matches. If this is to be the last season of the LV= Cup then at least it has achieved its legacy of championing youth even if the loss of the Twickenham final has diminished its status in the eyes of many.

Saracens are chasing a clean sweep of victories in this cup, with a modified Storm side earning four wins from four, not only providing progress in the competition but providing a springboard for Maro Itoje, Ben Spencer, Nick de Jäger and Matt Hankin to enter squad contention for the league matches, and fit in perfectly. With the competition billed as unveiling. "stars of the future", Sarries are right on message, whilst benefiting from the continuity of the side too. Northampton, though, will represent a stiff proposition, having beaten Saracens twice last year in this Cup at Franklins Gardens firstly in the pool stages and then the semi-final last time around, with Sarries also beaten in the semi-final at Sale Sharks in 2013. Saints won the competition in 2010 against Gloucester at Sixways, before losing out at the same venue to Leicester Tigers at the same venue two seasons later, and being defeated by Exeter in 2014 as the Chiefs made the most of home advantage at Sandy Park.

This time around, Saracens played the party poopers as they spoilt the return of the Ospreys to Neath, recording a 21-9 win with seven Ben Spencer penalties, on a double headed weekend which also brought a comprehensive win against DHL Western Province in NW4. The following week, Sarries edged a tight match with Harlequins, withstanding a comeback by the South West London visitors to win 25-20 thanks to tries from Duncan Taylor, Mike Ellery and Jack Wilson. In the New Year, the third round of matches was on the same weekend as the home match with the Blue Bulls, with the squad stretched to the limit, but a late show at the Kassam Stadium denied London Welsh their first home win as the visitors won 20-15 with tries from Spencer and Jared Saunders. That put them in contention for a semi-final berth, if they defeated an Exeter side who had already qualified but were chasing a home tie. In the event, a bonus point 35-18 Allianz Park success with tries from Tim Streather, Nick De Jager (x2), Romanian wing Catalin Fercu and Matt Hankin earnt a home fixture as they finished undefeated.

In contrast, Northampton entered the last day being grateful to their real rivals, Leicester Tigers. They'd started off with a 37-23 five try win at home to Newcastle Falcons, thanks to two from Tom Collins, and contributions from Teimana Harrison, Mike Haywood and Howard Packman. A 24-7 win at Scarlets made it two from two, but the experience from the bench proved crucial as tries from replacement Calum Clark and Lee Dickson added to another score from Packman. A stiff test awaited in the third game as the Saints travelled to Welford Road, and came away empty handed in a 17-8 loss. That took destiny out of their own hands going into the final game, with the main threat coming from Cardiff Blues, if they could beat Leicester. Instead the Welsh region were demolished by the East Midlands side, meaning a win against Wasps would be enough for progress. That was delivered comfortably with a 29-6 win in the end with tries from Ahsee Tuala, Phil Dowson, Jamie Elliott and Kahn Fotuali'i

Saracens look likely to keep faith with the Storm side, so should feature Ben Ransom at full back, with Mike Ellery and Catalin Fercu on the wings and a possible centre partnership of Tim Streather and Nick Tompkins. Nils Mordt should continue to combine with Spencer in the half backs. Moving into the front row, and Rhys Gill should fill the loosehead role alongside hooker Saunders and tighthead Biyi Alo, with a lock combination of Itoje and Hayden Smith. In the back row, de Jager and Hankin will probably feature, possibly alongside Ernst Joubert. Northampton are harder to call, as they have changed their side over the four games more, and certainly a strong bench got them out of jail against the Scarlets. Using the side who faced Wasps as a base, Tuala should feature at full back, with Howard Packman and Jamie Elliott on the wings, and a centre partnership of Dom Waldouck and Tom Stephenson. At fly half, Sam Oliver should feature alongside Joel Hodgson. Into the forwards, and a front row which could consist of loosehead Ethan Waller, hooker Matt Williams and tighthead Gareth Denman, and a lock combination of Tom Ryder and James Craig, completed by a back row of Dowson, Harrison and Sam Dickinson.

That predicted line up could be hopelessly wrong if the Saints unleash their big guns. In any case, it should be an exciting game, given the ability of both sides to turn defence into attack with some incisive counter movements. It should be a tight encounter, but with the continuity in selection delivering the A League title and a perfect four wins in the LV=, this may well be a decisive factor.