SARACENS V QUINS PREVIEW post match related comment here
By TheSaracens.com
May 27 2026
Well I’ve said it before and I very much hope to be saying it again, but Saturday sees the biggest game of our season (so far). Who would have thought we’d be here a couple of months ago – it’s what makes rugby such a great game. But having won 4 on the bounce and taken 19 out of 20 possible points, our future is now in our hands. Of course one needs to be realistic: that future extends to a probable away semi-final at Franklins Gardens (or if not The Rec) so it’s all going to be a tough ask but what are miracles made for?
So this Saturday, at the rather unearthly hour of 1pm, Sarries take on Quins who in recent seasons have become something of our bogey team. After a run of 8 defeats, Quins have won the past 3 meetings of the 2 teams. In theory, at home, Sarries should be strong favourites but we all know that doesn’t necessarily mean anything when the two teams take the field.
This will be a last chance to say farewell to some of our favourite players notably Tom Willis, Theo McFarland, Ivan Van Zyl and Alex Lozowski (although I’d only expect the first 2 to start). Hopefully they will give us a performance to cheer for. Of course it will be an emotional farewell to one man in particular: Mark McCall. This will be our opportunity to thank the guy who has given his all to the club and made it what it is today. I really, really hope that it’s a happy occasion for them all.
I assume there won’t be many changes to the team which has played so well for the last 4 games – maybe the odd tweak but no more. As for Quins, they are languishing in 8th, clinging on by their fingernails to the last Champions Cup place so they still have something to play for. Quins, of course, have some talented players in their ranks, including Chandler Cunningham-South, Alex Dombrandt, Caden Murley, Luke Northmore and of course, Marcus Smith. They can still pull out a performance or 2. Since losing to Sale they have walloped Newcastle Red Bulls at Kingston Park, 17-76 then they beat Exeter Chiefs 41-24 last time out. Interestingly Sarries haven’t played Quins in the Premiership on our plastic pitch since 2022 (19-10 win) with more recent encounters being at Tottenham Hotspur.
For interest, our rivals for that 4th play-off place both have tough games. Bristol are home to Bath on Friday night and Exeter are away to Leicester on Sunday. But as I said, if we win and take 5 points it doesn’t really matter what they do! It will all depend on Sandy Park next week.
We will be in the hands of none other than Luke Pearce, assisted by Richard Gordon and Mike Woods. TMO is Dean Richards. Let’s hope for Luke’s sake he makes it through the match!
So losing isn’t an option, not if we want our season to continue. It looks like being a sell-out despite the awful kick-off time so those of us in the ground need to be the 16th man and get those lads over the line.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:06:09:08:44:05 by Darraghgirl.
Hopefully everyone else fit, and we stay on the right side of Luke Pearce which certainly isn’t often the case.
I’m hoping we don’t have a repeat of the Sale at home game 2 years ago when the big goodbyes turned into an insipid performance costing us dearly.
also need to mention Gareth Simpson and Louie Johnson (sadly) also leaving the club
One of the knock-on effects of Faz's return I suspect is Louie's departure. Shame he got injured at the wrong time and never really had the chance to show what he could do
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:05:28:12:57:21 by Darraghgirl.
Olly Hartley[/b]
Allez, allez, allez, allez,
Hartleyyy, Hartleyyyy,
Allez, allez, allez, allez,
Hartleyyy, Hartleyyyy Repeat
Maro Itoje (7 Nation Army Tune)[b]
Oh, Maro Itoje,
Oh, Maro Itoje,
Oh, Maro Itoje,
Ben Earl[/b]
Ben Earl, wherever you may be,
Best openside in the whole country,
He’ll carry strong and carry hard
He’ll carry the ball for 500 yards.
Saracens, Saracens, Saracens!
Saracens (clap x3)
Saracens (clap x3)
Repeat
Come on you Sarries!
Come on you Sarries!
Come on you Sarries!
Repeat
Nick Isiekwe (to the tune of That’s Amore )[b]
When he leaps to sky,
and he scores one more try,
Nick Isiekwe!
And we’ll sing evermore
For we know he will score
Nick Isiekwe!
Repeat
All we need is a team of JG2 (Yellow Submarine Tune)[/b]
All we need is a team of Jamie George,
A team of JG, a team of JG,
All we need is a team of Jamie George,
A team of JG, a team of JG.
Number 1, is Jamie George and number 2, is Jamie George etc etc
repeat
Fergus Burke (Tune - Another one bites the dust)
Are you ready? Hey, are you ready for this?
Are you hanging on the edge of your seat?
Out of the doorway, the bullets rip
To the sound of the beat, yeah
Fergeys scored again,
and Fergeys scored again,
And another try scored, another try scored,
Fergeys scored again,
Hey, he’s gonna get right through,
He's gonna score again!
One More Try (Sing Hosanna tune)[b]
One more one more try, Sarrie lads
One more try one more try I say
One more try, one more try, Saracens
Give me 5 points it'll make my day!
Repeat
As an aside, are there any plans for a banner or something for McCall’s last home game? I’d like to donate if so.
Only one I remember hearing in recent years was the Yellow Submarine tune.
Singing is fun and makes you feel good - it's a real advantage to get the crowd going if we can just get a few to take off!!
Rugby crowds in general aren't the sing-song type barring the handful of simple drones we all do. But then I'm a miserable so and so and will say I'm there to take in the game and its technicalities, I'm not fussed about turning to hymn #7
On that note, I'd love to see Nigel Wray there on Saturday week. I'm sure he will be.
And I guess "Allez les noirs". Last heard for me at Watford.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:05:22:15:10:50 by nedrichards.
Successful hills are here to stay
Everything must be this way
Gentle streets where people play
Welcome to the Soft Parade
🌻🌻🌻
Quote:nedrichards
I've been to portland timbers in the states years back and they had songsheets handed out and a bloke conducting at the front. Although the only one I remember was 'aint no pity in the, rose city'. Pretty good atmosphere as well (although my favourite bit was the lad with a chainsaw cutting a slice off a big tree and then running around the stadium with it every time they scored [www.timbers.com] ). To which, why not, give it a go. But maybe try and get a few who sit together to try and start it and see what happens.
We shall see. Its never easy to get people all singing and chanting together at a rugby match. i sit in w8 and theres a fair few noisy fans who normally like to shout and cheer but i suspect something like this would be better in say the north stand
Quote:tpr's headmistress
You need a 'Supporters' Choir' who could all congregate together.
Now this could be an idea for away games. Easier when the SSA distributes tickets all sarries fans are together (myself included...
Notably at the stonex I have been told off before for being too noisy...

Blood on Blood?
Blood Brothers?
Plenty more where they came from...
Hah! We're not The Norty Norf for nuffink!
Quote:Sarsen
"i suspect something like this would be better in say the north stand"
Hah! We're not The Norty Norf for nuffink!

Here we go! Dah. Dah-dah-dee-dah....
), and don't mention Lydney! Why is it when you get old certain things stay fresh, although you don't always know what the day is?
Alas while i am a proud SSA member and grateful for the work and time all committee members put in, I do not believe they have ever experimented with promoting chanting and singing.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:05:24:23:25:41 by saracensfan62.
Quote:MidlandsSarrie
The SSA predates Sarries on Tour
I see, thank you MidlandsSarrie.
Or will he overcorrect himself with how much was made of it
Quote:MarkCol7
Luke Pearce on the whistle for this one, I wonder if he’ll cost us the top 4 again similarly to how he did last season at Saints?
Or will he overcorrect himself with how much was made of it
Can I sell you a tin foil hat?
Successful hills are here to stay
Everything must be this way
Gentle streets where people play
Welcome to the Soft Parade
🌻🌻🌻
That said, the ASM fans are hugely passionate and entirely receptive to being orchestrated. Not sure that's ever going to happen in genteel, oh-so-self-aware North London.
I should say that the intimidation in Clermont Ferrand starts and ends with the atmosphere in the stadium. One-on-one the fans are charm personified, you couldn't hope to meet more welcoming people. Which is why ASM is my second-favourite club.
Successful hills are here to stay
Everything must be this way
Gentle streets where people play
Welcome to the Soft Parade
🌻🌻🌻
We were in the north stand for that game. We came through the vomitorium to be greeted by a sea of the amiable nutters, being very raucous well before kick off! Of course, we spotted a couple of seats and plonked ourselves right in the middle of them, much to their bemusement/amusement!
We also had tickets for the ASM/Toulon final in Dublin. We bought them in a fit of wild optimism that Sarries would be there but, of course, we lost the semi. We went anyway and, on the tram into the centre on match day, we encountered a large group of ASM fans. "You're wearing our colours" one of them said, puzzled. "Yes, we're supporting you" we replied to wild cheers!
Sadly they lost.
I hate musicals, absolutely loathe them. Utter pap with zero musical or dramatic merit.
I'm not asking for a poll, people can and will sing whatever they please (or nothing at all when it comes to Sarries supporters!), but I'm perfectly entitled to my own tastes.
FWIW:
Smoke on the Water is a great track.
If you mean March of the Toreadors, I'm not a big fan of opera (posh musicals) but I have seen Carmen at the ENO and I quite enjoyed it.
Swing Low is great when belted out at The Cabbage Patch.
Fields of Athenry is a lovely, melancholy lilt although I don't understand how it has come to represent every sports team with the slightest Irish connection.
For Saracens it would either have to be a connection to our name (can’t immediately think of anything famous) or our location. To start the ball rolling I would suggest an extract from London Calling by the Clash might work - as ties into our new born in North London vibe. I am sure others can come up with better ideas.
Quote:BarnetBoy
There is absolutely no possibility that everyone will like a particular song but if your idea of cringeworthy is an uplifting song from one of THE most popular musicals ever then you are hard to please. A song has to be introduced and stuck with despite some people not liking it. Do you think if a poll was taken today we would adopt songs like - Smoke on the Water, March of the Troubadours, Swing Low, Fields of Athenry?? No - some would hate everyone. But those songs are synonymous with the teams they represent and fans belt them out happily.
I love musicals but I absolutely HATED the way that song was imposed on us. Far too long and too complicated.
Oh well! Saaaaaries, Saaaaries Saaaaries!!
I'm also with you on musicals and THAT song.
I'm afraid I really can't sing, even in the North Stand's company. I'd be evicted as a danger to public health.
Successful hills are here to stay
Everything must be this way
Gentle streets where people play
Welcome to the Soft Parade
🌻🌻🌻
I'm also with you on musicals and THAT song.
I'm afraid I really can't sing, even in the North Stand's company. I'd be evicted as a danger to public health.
Successful hills are here to stay
Everything must be this way
Gentle streets where people play
Welcome to the Soft Parade
🌻🌻🌻
Caluori again ole ole
Caluori again
Caluori again
Caluori again ole ole
1 Eroni Mawi
2 Jamie George
3 Marcus Street
4 Maro Itoje (c)
5 Hugh Tizard
6 Nick Isiekwe
7 Ben Earl
8 Tom Willis
9 Charlie Bracken
10 Fergus Burke
11 Tobias Elliott
12 Olly Hartley
13 Nick Tompkins
14 Noah Caluori
15 Max Malins
Replacements:
16 Theo Dan
17 Rhys Carre
18 Alec Clarey
19 Theo McFarland
20 Nathan Michelow
21 Ivan Van Zyl
22 Owen Farrell
23 Jack Bracken
Once again a match that on paper we should win fairly easily looking at the team sheets. Never works that way though
I.e straight from the Battle of Agincourt!
replacing Rotimi Segun, who picked up a knee injury against Gloucester.
Quote:tpr's headmistress
The write up with the team sheet says he has a knee injury -
replacing Rotimi Segun, who picked up a knee injury against Gloucester.
That's a shame. Up there as one of our best players this season
Saturday 30 May, KO 13:00
STARTING XV:
15. Jamie Benson (41)
14. Cameron Anderson (33)
13. Sean Kerr (20)
12. Bryn Bradley (32)
11. Cadan Murley (149)
10. Marcus Smith (195)
9. Will Porter (57)
1. Will Hobson (36)
2. Sam Riley (81)
3. Pedro Delgado
4. Zach Carr (31)
5. Elliot Williams (11)
6. Chandler Cunningham-South (49)
7. Jack Kenningham (96)
8. Alex Dombrandt (C) (176)
IMPACT PLAYERS:
16. Jack Musk (49)
17. Boris Wenger (10)
18. Ollie Streeter (13)
19. Jonny Green (26)
20. Seb Driscoll (8)
21. Will Evans (131)
22. Stu Townsend (8)
23. Cassius Cleaves (25)
Unavailable (Forwards): Jack Walker, Fin Baxter, Harry Williams, Harry Browne, George Turner, Guido Petti, James Chisholm, Tom Lawday, Joe Launchbury, Jordan Els, Simon Kerrod, Stephan Lewies, Lucas Schmid
Unavailable (Backs): Luke Northmore, Rodrigo Isgró, Jarrod Evans, Ludo Kolade, Oscar Beard, Ben Waghorn, Nick David, Tyrone Green
I'm hoping for us to break our recent run against Quins with a definitive winning performance that sends McCall off from his last home game as DoR in the manner he deserves.
Backs didn’t seem to work at all , Charlie brackens worst game this season
Massive improvement needed for next week but glad that they got the result to give McCall his StoneX send off.
Come on you Tigers!!
Seemed a really nervy performance in places. One of those games where we couldnt apply the finishing touch. Max knock on over the try line, Tobias held up, Theo turned over after Michelow's break. I felt Faz really settled things and showed his class in those vital last 10mins.
Good performances from Tobias, Willis, Tompkins and the scrum. Otherwise average to slightly poor.
Finally, I have no issue with refs making errors etc but Pearce's inability/unwillingness to get a grip on the game meant what should have been a fun game in the sun was massively tedious. At one scrum alone I think almost 3mins burned off the clock with an "injury" and slow formation.
I would love to get the win down at Sandy next week, but need to up our game and take our chances.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:05:30:18:06:26 by jimfitz12.
Quote:jimfitz12
Just a message for for Paul Herox. Farrel was brilliant when he came on. That kick off at the end was unreal to win the ball back. No doubt he will find a negative, as always, but just wanted to recognise Faz.
Feels a bit personal that comment.
That nonsense comment aside, ai thought it was a really exciting way to end off the season and McCalls home tenure. The ground was absolutely rocking at the end there. Thought it was a poor first 70 but with a fantastic set piece. I really hope the first 70, coupled with the Gloucester performance, isn’t an indication of reversion to early season tactics. For me it did feel a bit like that.
Thought the final ten was a really good performance, punctuated by some really good sub performances from the bench.
Bring on the chiefs. I’ll be behind the sofa
Quote:Sarrov
Finally, I have no issue with refs making errors etc but Pearce's inability/unwillingness to get a grip on the game meant what should have been a fun game in the sun was massively tedious. At one scrum alone I think almost 3mins burned off the clock with an "injury" and slow formation.
This was ridiculous. I think the Quins 13 had about 10 mins of treatment across the first half. He’s either injured, or he’s not. Get on with the game.
Pearce blowing his whistle and waving his arms at Quins telling them to hurry up did nothing. Penalise them please. Games should last 95 mins - 80 mins with 15 mins at HT. Today you can have a little more because of the odd water break. But 2 hours plus is absurd.
Quote:jimfitz12
That kick off at the end was unreal to win the ball back.
Yes, it was about a perfect a restart in those circumstances as possible. Deep enough that if Quins caught it they’d have to go the length, enough hang time so Jack B could get there just after it lands, close enough to the touchline that Quins had to play it.
Quins defended superbly, and Benson had an excellent boot. But we got the job done.
We ran some decent attacking shape especially in the first half but Bracken was continuously slowing the ball down. That in conjunction with players not quite being on the same page resulted in a scrappy half and lots of missed opportunities.
I'd add Mawi to those who had a strong game. I loved that covering tackle.
Burke with another great game and we probably miss him even more in defence than attack when he gets subbed. It's quite incredible how often he bails us out with his speed as a covering defender or racing back on linebreaks.
Result was perfect, performance was not. Was that the emotion or even just the heat of the day.
Hard to know but I hope we'll need a step up for next week.
Quote:#wolfpack1
I thought our bench had a positive impact today - especially Theo Mc (sloppy dropped restart aside) and Nathan Mitchelow who I think has been very impressive each week since he’s come into the squad
Agree with all the above.
Also thought it was faz best cameo in a while. Thought he might actually reach the line in that dart near the end. More fool me 🤣
We won, keep the wagon rolling.
Successful hills are here to stay
Everything must be this way
Gentle streets where people play
Welcome to the Soft Parade
🌻🌻🌻
Quote:#wolfpack1
I thought our bench had a positive impact today - especially Theo Mc (sloppy dropped restart aside) and Nathan Mitchelow who I think has been very impressive each week since he’s come into the squad
Michelow was great, I hope he gives Barbeary some stiff competition next year. The must be some confidence in him the amount he’s replacing Willis with a fair amount of minutes left.
COYS
Quote:Strangelove
So, well played Chiefs. We know if we win with a tbp we’ve qualified on more wins (and better pts diff). A win with no tbp is ok as long as they get no more than 1 bp. I think I’ve got this right?!
COYS
Sounds right to me.
