Castle not-so-Grim?

By Henry Harman
September 24 2003

At the start of the season, if you had offered me 6 points from the first two games I would have taken your hand, if not your entire arm, clean off. Saracens have started well, they almost always do but this time it could very well be the start of the improvement process.

Attitudes throughout the club have changed. The demise of the authoritarian Shelford has given rise to a more positive, forward thinking club. Much of this can be attributed to the way that Chief Executive Mark Sinderberry has taken the proverbial bull by the balls and given it a big shake-up. Nigel Wray's vision, belief and passion are flowing down the structure of Saracens. There seems to be a greater spring in the step of those whose lives were so unpleasant during Shelford’s reign.

The only question on our cynical minds is, "How long will it last?"

Visiting Castle Grim is one of the most difficult fixtures of the season. Gloucester's record at Kingsholm is something Sarries aspire to. Making your home ground a fortress is essential for any good team. Will Sarries fancy their chances? Definitely. This is a golden opportunity for them to lay down a marker to the rest of the Zurich Premiership that they are not to be messed with.

Not overly-inspiring so far this season, Gloucester have limped past Rotherham (22-8) and have been beaten by The Thames Valley South Africans (16-1) at Mad Stad last weekend. They still offer a mix of raw speed, strength and creativity behind the scrum in Garvey, Todd and Paul otherwise they have a relatively inexperienced back-line including England Under-21 fly half Brad Davies.

Up front, Andy Deacon is injured and his place could be taken by ex-Saracen, Adrian Olver. Ex-Bristolian Paul Johnstone and new signing from Newcastle, Steve Brotherstone should keep their place in the rest of a decent front row. We are likely to see two of Adam Eustace, Mark Cornwall and Alex Brown in the second row.

The back row holds the key for Gloucester. Captain Jake Boer is a fantastic scrapper, he has good support as well; Junior Paramore, Andy Hazell and James Forrester are all quality players. Whatever the combination, the battle of the back rows should be a cracker, just as long as both sides and the referee allow the game to flow.

Sarries should be buoyed by the return of Andy Kershaw who firmed everything up when he came on for 20 minutes against Leicester and had a hand in Morgan Williams' outstanding try. Couple this with the probable debut of new boy Alex Codling and the pack starts to look a bit handy. A second row of Captain Raiwalui and Codders should get on top. In the back row The Mighty Chesney should start at blind side with Cheltenham boy Ryan Peacey at open. Taine Randell will marshal things at 8.

In the absence of Australia-bound Morgan Williams, Dan Kirton will be handed a start at scrum-half with Darragh O'Mahony's return to the left wing and Kevin Sorrell to inside centre being the other likely changes to the backm line.

Make no mistake, this is still a huge task. Saturday's hosts were undefeated at home for all 11 Premiership matches last term including the 44-14 victory over Sarries. Vickery, Woodman & Co are missing but the atmosphere down the Shed will be unchanged. It may all come down to which team has the experience and the spirit to gut it out.

Sarries………………… just!