Sarries Need to Power Up for Irish Challenge

By Rupert Thacker
January 21 2005

The Powergen Cup represents the “easiest” route into next year’s European Cup for both sides, in that it will only take 3 wins to achieve qualification - that fact in itself is a huge incentive to win.

This Sunday sees London Irish come to Vicarage Road for the quarter final of the Powergen Cup. A competition (under various names) in which both clubs have had success over the years, this is sure to be a fiercely competitive game.

London Irish arrive with somewhat of a mixed bag of a season behind them. A blistering start saw them win 4 of their first 6 games, the only losses being to the animal pairing of Tigers and Wasps. Included in that opening run was an unexpected win at Sale and a home win against Sarries in what may yet prove to be a contender for “worst match in the ZP this year”. Since the end of November, however, Irish’s form has faltered. Having lost at Bath, then been dumped out of Europe by Pau, the last two ZP games have seen two additional losses; 22-21 to Saints and 16-6 at Worcester.

It goes without saying that, since their last game almost 3 weeks ago, minds will have been concentrated at the Irish training camp and they will be looking to produce a performance totally unrecognisable from the apparent mess of that Worcester defeat. Their injury problems are also easing and the named team contains what many consider to be their first choice front row – Hatley, Russell and Hardwick. With Phil Murphy at 8, Kieron Dawson at 7 and captain Strudwick back in the second row, this is certainly a pack with which Irish feel comfortable and which could put them on the front foot.

Their back line is also interesting, with Mike Catt appearing at 12 and Barry Everitt being re-instated at 10. No place for ex-Sarrie Mark Mapletoft, who warms the bench and the talented fullback Michael Horak is out altogether with injury. From Sarries’ point of view, he has always performed well against the Men in White (as they will be this weekend) and that is one name they will be pleased not to see on the team sheet. Everitt has a justified reputation as one of the top kickers in the ZP, which should in itself be a warning for Sarries not to give away too many penalties.

For Saracens, this is an immediate chance to get over the massive disappointment of the Brive defeat last weekend. The squad have been boosted by the news of Hugh Vyvyan’s return, which will be timely with the news that stand-in captain Simon Raiwalui is out injured for 4 weeks. And it’s in the second row where Vyvyan starts for his return, meaning that Ben Skirving keeps his place at number 8. The aforementioned Irish front row will have their work cut out for sure, their opposite numbers being the preferred Yates, Cairns and Visagie.

It is in the backs where the major changes happen though. Saracens welcome back Kyran Bracken to 9, Glen Jackson to 10 and Thomas Castaignede to 13. Changes on the wings as well, Ben Johnston starting at 11 with Vaikona wearing 14 this week. Out, through injury, go Paul Bailey and Richard Haughton, with Nicky Little and Kevin Sorrell moving to the bench. It has often been said this season that the Saracens backs haven’t fired, perhaps this as yet untried combination will unlock the Irish defence and start scoring tries for fun.

Overall, the teams look to be fairly evenly matched – both have their fair share of potential match winners, both are also prone to throwing in the occasional shocking performance. The weather forecast is for cold, damp weather and tactical kicking may have a huge impact – Everitt is a master, but if Glen Jackson can perform as he did at Bath then Saracens have at least a match. Irish will have no fear of coming to Vicarage Road, having won there frequently in recent seasons and are past-masters at coming through to win having been written off by supporters and media alike. This time, media predictions are split on who will win; let's just hope there’s no extra time – I'm not sure everyone’s heart will stand it.

Saracens : 15 Mark Bartholomeusz, 14 Tevita Vaikona, 13 Thomas Castaignede, 12 Dan Harris, 11 Ben Johnston, 10 Glen Jackson, 9 Kyran Bracken, 1 Kevin Yates, 2 Matt Cairns, 3 Cobus Visagie, 4 Iain Fullarton, 5 Hugh Vyvyan, 6 Taine Randell, 7 Dave Seymour, 8 Ben Skirving.
Subs : Andy Kyricaou, Nick Lloyd, Kris Chesney, Ben Russell, Mosese Rauluni, Nicky Little and Kevin Sorrell.

London Irish : 15 Delon Armitage, 14 Scott Staniforth, 13 Geoff Appleford, 12 Mike Catt, 11 Justin Bishop, 10 Barry Everitt, 9 Darren Edwards, 1 Neal Hatley, 2 Robbie Russell, 3 Rob Hardwick, 4 Ryan Strudwick, 5 Bob Casey, 6 Declan Danaher, 7 Kieron Dawson, 8 Phil Murphy.
Subs: Doug Wheatley, James van der Walt, Kieran Roche, Nick Kennedy, Nils Mordt, Paul Hodgson and Mark Mapletoft.

Referee : Sean Davey