Saints Preview

By David Parry
March 26 2004

The adventures of the Saracens A-team have been far from successful this season but a selection crisis for Rod Kafer has handed a start to academy player Tom Lawy and places on the bench for Matt Honeyben and Donald Barrell.

Saracens have been ‘combing the streets’ according to Rod Kafer and the starting fifteen for Northampton reflects this new recruitment policy.

Saracens are not without top-level talent – Castaignede continues as Kafer’s “best running fly-half in World Rugby” and is partnered by the ever impressive Morgan Williams at half-back. Kevin Sorrell and Ben Johnston retain their places in the centre. Richard Haughton is away with England Sevens and his absence is notable in the back three. Denis Cech comes into the side to cover Haughton’s absence and Robbie Kydd continues at fullback.

Cobus Visagie brings some much needed quality to what is essentially a second string pack as he makes a return to the starting fifteen after a considerable period of absence through injury. James Parkes starts at hooker in between Visagie and Steven Sparks in the front row. The spare place at lock forward is given to the experienced Craig Yandell as Captain Simon Raiwalui holds his place and Saracens cover the back row positions with the young Ryan Peacey, the even younger Lawy and the not-so-young Kris Chesney.

The less said about the Saracens bench the better, with only 4 of the seven substitutes with reasonable match day experience. Nicki Little and Kyran Bracken cover 9 and 10 and Ben Broster and Emiliano Bergamaschi are the front row replacements. Daniel Legge is the most experienced of the remaining players on the Saracens bench with Barrell and Honeyben completing the 22.

The lack of depth in the Saracens squad is apparent as a multitude of England teams and other international call-ups ravage an all ready injury stricken squad. Let’s hope that Kafer’s new policy on recruitment (British, non-international, two players in each position that can start etc.) will prevent this problem from happening again.

Nonetheless, an away game at Northampton will provide much needed experience to the Saracens players of tomorrow, while the Saracens players of today make their recoveries from injury.

Allez les Noirs!

1. Steven Sparks
2. James Parkes
3. Cobus Visagie
4. Simon Raiwalui
5. Craig Yandell
6. Ryan Peacey
7. Tom Lawy
8. Kris Chesney

9. Morgan Williams
10. Thomas Castaignede
11. Denis Cech
12. Kevin Sorrell
13. Ben Johnston
14. Paul Bailey
15. Robbie Kydd

Bench - Johnny Marsters, Emiliano Bergamaschi, Ben Broster, Daniel Legge, Donald Barrell, Kyran Bracken, Matt Honeyben