Home Semi is Chief(s) Aim

The victors of Sunday's match would be in with a chance of taking second spot, but depending on Bath's results - they could easily win at Harlequins and prevail in the home derby with Gloucester, but that's far from a forgone conclusion. Saracens travel to London Welsh on the final day, where a professional performance should deliver five points and hopefully mean a play-off spot even if it goes the Chiefs way this Sunday, whilst Exeter are at home to a Sale Sharks side now all but out of contention for the top-flight European spots, given the form of Wasps, and Gloucester's Challenge Cup win last Friday. That said, though, the loser will be wary that Leicester Tigers always seem to find a way to qualify for the top four even if they face the daunting double of a trip to Wasps and a home match with Northampton Saints, who should realistically have booked a home semi-final this weekend, needing two points in their match with Welsh this Saturday.

 

But that's enough possible permutations. This will be Exeter's fourth visit to NW4, with the famous debut being a 31-11 bonus point win featuring tries from Charlie Hodgson, Matt Stevens and a brace from Mako Vunipola. Before that unwanted late intervention from the East Stand, Richard Baxter crossed for the Chiefs. Returning a year later, a tighter 23-10 home win resulted, as Saracens overturned an early advantage for Exeter earnt by a well-worked Ian Whitten try to prevail through scores from James Johnston and Schalk Brits, and they were back for a third February in a row, this time, for an LV= Cup pool clash, having won their first three matches. With both sides playing in the spirit of the competition, in terms of team selection. Saracens won 35-18 to keep their 100% record thanks to contributions from Tim Streather, Nick De Jager (x2), Catalin Fercu and Matt Hankin

 

Having lost out on the chance for a home semi-final, and with Saints clearly having the incentive of a home LV= Final, you'd probably have got long odds on a Saracens vs Exeter final, but, as Sarries can testify in the Franklins Gardens showpiece itself, the Chiefs showed great resilience to go to Leicester and win in the semi-final. It was reminiscent of their famous first ever win over Bath, at the Rec no less, which set the platform for last season's Cup triumph. That may have been the "A" side, but the first team who will be on display today can boast home and away wins against Northampton Saints, the only away side to win there with the exception of Racing Metro 92. Add to that Premiership wins at Harlequins and Gloucester, as well a run to the Challenge Cup semi-finals, and, despite some disappointments along the way, this is a side with great spirit, comfortable in any setting. But then, even after a rare double defeat, so are Saracens. The prize is clear, particularly if Quins spring a surprise on Friday, and for all of Exeter's strength, the LV Final may still provide a psychological edge, despite the radically different sides likely to be on show. With a string of players reasserting their commitment to the club by signing extended deals, this appears the time to make a clear statement, but it won't be easy by any means. Exeter's powerful defence is formidable enough, embodied in the signing of the season in Thomas Waldrom, but, as was seen in last year's match, an exciting backline, which has finally gained international recognition is well capable of incisive counter attacking.

 

So, who will feature? Given the week off, Saracens can afford to field a full-strength line up and perhaps adjust the side for next week's assignment in Oxford, particularly as injuries are easing at an absolutely perfect time. That should see a back line of Alex Goode, with Chris Ashton and Chris Wyles on the wings, and a continuing centre partnership of Marcelo Bosch and Brad Barritt. An adjustment to the half back combination from that at Milton Keynes could see Owen Farrell start alongside Richard Wigglesworth. Into the forwards, and Mako Vunipola should continue at loosehead with Jamie George restored to hooker and Kieran Longbottom perhaps on course to start at tighthead. In the locks, George Kruis should feature alongside Alistair Hargreaves, if the skipper is able to return. Given the power of Exeter's back row and that, with Waldrom's 14 try contribution, it is the most prolific try scoring unit by quite some margin, it looks an intriguing contest for Jackson Wray, Kelly Brown and Billy Vunipola. Discipline and accuracy will be essential for the whole side, in a way that it wasn't against the Saints.

 

Exeter will probably field a starting XV similar to the one which secured a late losing bonus point at Wasps. That would see Scottish A international Byron McGuigan at full back, with Irish international Whitten on the right, and Matt Jess on the left, outside a centre partnership of England international Jack Nowell and England Saxon Sam Hill, whilst Henry Slade should combine with former Bedford Blues scrum half Will Chudley. Into the forwards, and the front row should comprise of loosehead Ben Moon, hooker Jack Yeandle and tighthead Tomas Francis, with captain Dean Mumm accompanying Mitch Lees in the second row, and a back row of Dave Ewers, another England Saxon, Kai Horstmann, and of course Waldrom.