Sarries' season starts here

By Jason Harris
February 27 2003

Saracens begin their six match run-in to the end of the Zurich Premiership season with a trip to bottom-of-the-table Bath on 1 March. Sarries will be hoping to continue their good run of form in the Roman city and strike a blow before the upcoming Parker Pen Challenge Cup semi-finals.

With no wins on the road since the opening day of the season, the Men in Black will be out to get four points that will keep them ahead of the chasing pack at the bottom of the table and keep their hosts rooted to last place.

But despite their unenviable position, Bath have been showing signs of a revival of late and will fancy their chances against a Sarries side that hasn't won a league game since December.

Sarries have been forced to make several changes to the side that lost to Northampton last time out. With Kevin Sorrell probably out for the season, Buck Shelford puts out another combination in the back line which has yet to be seen.

However, with the class and experience of Tim Horan and Thomas Castaignede in the centres, the side looks more of one with attacking intent than one that is experimental.

Adey Winnan is also out for at least a month and so the fullback spot is taken by Brett Sparg who has rarely let himself of his side down in his previous 60 appearances.

Richard Haughton is recalled to the right wing while ever-present Darragh O'Mahony plays on the left. Andy Goode returns to outside half and will be partnered by Morgan Williams on his return from injury.

While the backs look fleet-of-foot, the forwards have a robust look about them. Christian Califano and Mike Storey will prop and they are accompanied in the front row by Robbie Russel, this week celebrating his recall to the Scotland squad.

A lot will depend on the three men at the coalface if Sarries are to have a say in the result. All too often so far this season, the front row has been very much second best in the scrum and they simply must provide a solid platform for the back five forwards.

Stuart Hooper takes a rest from his second row duties and the heavy artillery is deployed in the shape of Abdel Benazzi and Craig Yandell. Benazzi will be crucial in open play as most of the Saracens ball carrying has been done by Kris Chesney with little or no support from his fellow forwards.

Once again, set piece ball will be paramount. Benazzi at the front and Yandell in the middle should provide big enough targets, providing the opposition fail to spoil like the Saints did last time out.

Richard Hill starts despite having only four games left under the 32-match rule and much will rest on his broad shoulders, particularly in defence. Joining hill and the aforementioned Chesney at the base of the scrum will be Ryan Peacey, described this week by captain Kyran Bracken as probably the most exciiting young talent in the club.

There is also big news regarding the Saracens bench. Nathan McAvoy has been selected for his first Saracens match and it will be fascinating to see how he does should he get some game time. The former Bradford RL man is joined by Ben Johnston, Bracken, Hooper, Johnny Marsters, Matt Cairns and Tony Roques.

Shelford said on the Saracens official web site that he has been impressed with McAvoy's start in union - albeit in the 7-a-side version - and that the 26-year-old deserves a run out.

The Sarries head coach concluded by saying "We are well aware of the importance of this game and that Bath are hitting some form with a lot to play for but so have we. It goes without saying that we're looking for a win but we're also looking for enthusiasm, vibrancy, commitment and hunger, the guys have had some time away and we want them to come back on Saturday and perform."

With just nine points sepearting the two sides who are five places apart in the ladder, it goes without saying that completing the double over former Sarries favourite Danny Grewcock and his men will give the Men in Black a huge boost. This is, as they say, a genuine eight-pointer.

It's always difficult to judge which Bath side and indeed which Saracens side will take to the field, but I think that providing Sarries can win their own set-piece, they have a good chance of continuing their winning ways at The Rec.

And I hope that should they triumph, that the don't leave it as late as they did last time when Tim Horan broke Bath hearts with his 60-metre injury-time run for a try which won Sarries the match.