OUT IN THE COMMUNITY

A quick turn round sees Sarries take on London Irish for the 2nd time in a fortnight, this time in the Premiership Cup. Both sides had good wins in the first round with Irish arguably doing better beating Northampton Saints at Franklins Gardens and scoring 5 tries in the process while Sarries were less convincing in beating Quins at home. Irish, like Sarries, seem to have rested most of their front line players for that game but may be tempted to recall one or two on Friday night. Sarries, on the other hand, may look to rest the likes of Morris and Theo McFarland given the injuries sustained last weekend both for club and country.

The game provides an opportunity to visit Brentford’s brand new Community Stadium (and for those not travelling, BT Sport will be broadcasting the match if you who can tear yourselves away from Children in Need) which has been Irish’s new home for almost exactly a year. Even this early in the competition, defeat in this game may well be terminal. We shall see by the team selection what (if anything) the Premiership Cup means to each side.

I can’t speak for Irish but I’m almost certain Sarries will stick with a development squad approach. Changes from last week will presumably see the absence of Duncan Taylor (any updates?) Sean Reffell and Ollie Stonham due to injury. I don’t think Dom Morris will be risked – he’s too valuable to the team now. And as previously mentioned, Theo McFarland is destined for greater things; although he might need the game time – perhaps from the bench. Hopefully poor old Tom Mills will get the chance to play as a wing rather than a forward! Andy Christie seems to have been tasked with the PC captaincy and is relishing it so I assume he will lead the side out again. The front row is likely to be unchanged – Baz and Cleary are known warriors and Ethan Lewis looked much more assured with some gametime under his belt. Boon and Hunter-Hill should remain at lock but the back row is more problematic. If Reffell is out, Christie will need some new lieutenants, so Toby Knight may get a start and maybe Ethan Benson or Janco Venter if he’s fit.. Manu and de Haas will probably continue at half back with a back 3 of Segun, Harris and Obatoyinbo. We are a bit thin in the centres without using Dom but Brandon Jackson and Charlie Watson could find themselves together.

So it’s likely to be an inexperienced line up on Friday night which probably makes Irish favourites but you never know in this game.