DERBY DAY WEMBLEY WAY

Last week's Quarter Final win for Saracens was a triumph for their perseverance, although they will seek an improvement in their performance at the breakdown and accuracy in attack at times. However, the result was all important, whereas in this match, a more free-flowing approach could pay dividends in moving tantalisingly close to that top two prize, just like last year when two late tries capped a 42-15 bonus point win. They will face another formidable back row, and a backline as its best in recent weeks, but still presenting an opportunity on the counter attack, whilst Saracens' scrum and lineout which has remained dominant in recent weeks. Given the context of the match, the smart offloading game seen against Exeter Chiefs, and, to a lesser extent Bath, would appear to be a better option than kicking for territory too much given that Quins are well capable of running from deep. With momentum all important ahead of the date with Wasps at Reading in a week's time, continuity will need to be balanced with the need to keep players fresh for the challenge. 

 

Brought into sharper relief by last week's modest 8,000 crowd against the Saints, in contrast to this corresponding fixture on 28 March last year which attracted 84068, is the role of this fixture in building and promoting the club. The match is positioned as attracting a new audience to rugby, many of whom wouldn't have the opportunity to visit Wembley Stadium otherwise, and, in any case, with a radically different atmosphere to England international football matches. Whether this actually contributes to many new visitors to Allianz Park is not clear, and I don't know whether there are marketing attempts to encourage them to take in a match at Copthall either. But, as sell outs in the NFL games here don't necessarily suggest that a full time American Football team here would be a success, and as Harlequins will agree with Big Game at Twickenham, there are many who appreciate the novelty of the big day out, and Saracens appeared to have reached the right balance now, rather than the previous seasons when up to four games were staged here, but some only just over half full. But I'm still not sure about Mexican Waves, and thought Foxes made glacier mints, biscuits or loud noises. I'm looking forward to being educated and more importantly, dry, for once, though.

 

Back to the rugby, then. Harlequins, of course, were the side who ended Saracens' unbeaten start to the campaign in January, with a 29-23 win, in which Rhys Gill was sent off for the visitors. Unlike in previous encounters, when their multi-phase play had floundered repeatedly on stern Saracens defence, a strong all-round display yielded tries for Rob Buchanan, Jack Clifford and James Horwill. However, in the three months since what seemed to be a landmark success, they have struggled for consistency. The next game saw them seal a Challenge Cup Quarter Final with a game to spare, as they scored four tries in the first half for a 28-0 lead at home to Cardiff Blues, but lost some of their intensity in defence as it finished 34-26, but still an impressive fifth win from five, ahead of a modified side losing 42-9 at Montpellier in the closing pool match. This would be the first of four straight losses, though, as they lost 26-19 at Newcastle Falcons, despite leading 19-10 at one stage but paying for poor discipline, and, with the Six Nations period now underway, they failed to to close out the win in the next game either, as Northampton recorded a 27-23 win, scoring from the last play after Ben Botica fauled to find touch to close the match, and they couldn't make an impact at Gloucester as they lost 28-6, struggling to cope with the home side's forward power, and blunted by their own handling errors. Even worse, Nick Evans suffered a serious leg injury which has ruled out the influential fly half to date.

 

A much needed Friday night win was secured against Leicester Tigers, though, to restore top four hopes as a supreme defensive effort and sharp finish from Marland Yarde set up a 25-19 win, only for Quins to fail to back this up as they ended February with a crushing 42-10 loss at Wasps, as they failed to deal with the Coventry side's threat from deep. Another disappointing away day saw possession and territory uncapitalised in a 29-23 loss at Sale Sharks, but, back in South West London, Bath were seen off 35-28, with a bonus point to boot, with some excellent running rugby on display as the hosts eased to a 35-6 lead with 15 minutes left, but then contrived to let the visitors back into it. Still missing their international contingent, they were beaten 21-15 by Worcester Warriors, but with a full strength squad available again, they were edged out 29-23 at Northampton, with some good defence and attack on show, although failing to protect a 20-12 lead early in the second half. However, they have won their last two matches, making an impressive 681 metres in the 46-25 home win over Newcastle Falcons, whilst a topsy turvy Challenge Cup Quarter Final at home to London Irish was eventually won 38-30. 

 

On their day, then, they remain one of the most exciting sides to watch in an attacking sense, but the difference between them and the top three is that they are not as adept at grinding out results when not at their best, losing crucial games at Wasps and Northampton Saints, and failing to close out results, with only the bottom two of the Premiership conceding more points this season. However, in Conor O'Shea's final season before joining Italy as Head Coach, it's been far from disasterous, as the surprise elimination of Gloucester from the Challenge Cup, and a forthcoming home semi-final with Grenoble, sees them hotly tipped to contest the final in Lyon next month, and emulate their dramatic 2011 final win over Stade Francais in Cardiff. There has been a definite improvement in the quality of the squad, all around the pitch, when at full strength, which could yet yield dividends. 

 

Saracens might make a couple of changes to the side which beat Saints, although the team has crystallised into a clear first choice in many positions now. Alex Goode should continue at full back, with Chrises Ashton and Wyles on the wings, outside a revised centre partnership of Marcelo Bosch and Brad Barritt. Owen Farrell will continue at fly half, but, given his departure at half time last week, Richard Wigglesworth may be replaced by Neil de Kock. Forwards-wise, it's hard to see too many changes, with a continuing front row of Mako Vunipola, Scahlk Brits and Petrus du Plessis, Maro Itoje and George Kruis remaining in the second row, and perhaps Michael Rhodes coming in for Jackson Wray, alongside Will Fraser and Billy Vunipola to complete the back row. In practice, should the match be going well, the bench might be emptied early as it was at Bath.

 

It's hard to see too many adjustments for Harlequins either. Mike Brown will be at full back, with the in-form wing duo of Marland Yarde and Tim Visser outside a centre partnership of George Lowe and the powerful Jamie Roberts. Ben Botica and Danny Care will be the half back combination. Into the pack, and as Joe Marler serves the second match of his ban for abusive comments to Wales prop Samson Lee, Mark Lambert should deputise again at loosehead. Dave Ward could be at hooker, with Adam Jones remaining at tighthead. Second row, and Charlie Matthews could team up with Sam Twomey, whilst the powerful back row should include Chris Robshaw, Luke Wallace and Jack Clifford.