Preview: Harlequins v Saracens
By Nick Barnard
May 6 2011
The final weekend of the Premiership is finally upon us and for those whose criticise the English game for being dull and not really very good, it is heartening to see that just about every game tomorrow has something riding on the result.
From who will finish at top of the league to who will be relegated it will all be decided tomorrow. If Saints slip up, Bath could even grab a place in the play offs and the newly promoted Exeter could cap a fine first season in Premiership by beating Wasps and finishing 8th, a position few would have predicted back in September.
For the two teams at the Stoop tomorrow there is top of the table bragging rights for one and a potential place in the Heineken Cup up for grabs for other – in short Harlequins and Saracens both have plenty to play for.
Saracens are currently second in the Premiership, a position that seems odd as they have won more games than anyone else this season. With the joint best defence in the league, they seemed to have struggled a bit in the try scoring stakes (even Wasps have scored more this season) but despite this have been playing an almost flawless game. It is difficult to pick out a star performer as every one of their match day 23 consistently delivers. Saracens have an excellent set of forwards but don’t base their game solely on the set piece or power. They also have a quick and defensively solid set of backs but don’t expect them to score all the trys (Brits being their top try scorer this season). In a lot of quarters they are favourites to win the Premiership this season and it wont surprise many if they break Leicester’s hold on the Premiership title in May.
Although the likes of Brits, Joubert and Burger tend to get a lot of the headlines, Saracens have been excellently led by Steve Bothwick this season. For so long a ‘line out specialist’ and not much else he has added a dynamism to his game and has been incredibly effective around the field this season. Indeed, had he carried, tackled and hit rucks with this kind of effectiveness for England he would probably still be Captain. Another of England’s forgotten men that have been impressive this season has been Richard Wigglesworth. From such a superb English debut against France in 2008, he very quickly fell out of favour and into mediocrity. He joined Saracens in 2010 and has rapidly proved himself as a very good scrum half that can kick, deliver quick ball and spot holes in opposition defences. He has clearly learn a lot from Neil De Kok and alongside a young Owen Farrell at fly half (surely one of England’s next superstars), he has helped put Saracens on the front foot for most of this season.
Saracens also have Brad Barritt who often gets typecast as a one dimensional battering ram, but has a smooth offload, a decent kick and is rock solid in defence. In any other country he’d have been tested in the national team by now but for some reason he hasn’t had his chance yet. Finally, Alex Goode (no relation to Andy) who has been in excellent form in recent weeks. Part full back and part fly half, his ability to kick, join the line and shred the mid field somehow makes light of the fact that he’s not the quickest and he will surely find himself in contention for a RWC spot later this year.
However, he will be up against another star performer this season in Mike Brown. Again often criticised for his speed (or lack thereof) Brown has been bulletproof this season starting every game in the Premiership. His stats for metres gained, tackles, clean breaks, offloads, try assists and defenders beaten make excellent reading and his match up against Goode should be one in a number of intriguing match ups tomorrow. With only a couple of chances left to impress the England selectors I expect both full backs to be at their best tomorrow.
As for the game itself, Conor O’Shea commented in today’s Rugby Times
“Its funny that Saracens have conceded 25 tries and scored 34 and we have conceded 25 and scored 44 tries yet they have won 17 games and we have won 9.”
And here lies the story of Harlequins season, namely finding the precision and the intensity to finish off these opportunities. Harlequins will no doubt by buoyed by last weeks historic win against Munster but Saracens away record makes them just as dangerous on the road and tomorrow will be a tough encounter.
The backrow battle should be formidable with both sets of players being in exceptional form. Robshaw will be another of the players on the pitch looking to impress Martin Johnson and Joubert will no doubt be looking forward to his battle with the current England No. 8, Easter. Bearing in mind both Burger and Fa'asavalu presumably train by running though brick walls I suspect some of the collisions in and around the breakdown will be bone crunching!
Two of Rugby Clubs Dream team meet in the second row with Robson taking on Botha. Both these players have capped fine seasons with finally getting some recognition outside their own supporters and its very well deserved. Despite only being 25, Robson has played nearly 100 games for Harlequins and is as solid as they come in the lineout. He has also made a good makeshift winger as tries against Gloucester and Munster have proved.
Harlequins are missing a few first team players in Marler, Gray and Evans but the starting line up is still strong with Jones, Cairns and Clegg more than capable replacements. Clegg proved last week that he can step up in the harshest of environments and I expect to see more of his ‘nerves of steel’ this week.
This should be a very tight game and I expect plenty of tries, despite both defences being the stingiest in the league. As with last weeks game, my heart says a home win but my head says otherwise but it should certainly be an entertaining game.
I’d also like to remind everyone that tomorrow will be the final home game for Ceri Jones, Gonzalo Camacho, John Andress, Dave Moore, James Percival and Lewis Stevenson. Ceri in particular has been a very loyal servant to Harlequins and I wish all of them the best of luck in their future endeavours.
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"Goode has genuine pace, with a chicken-style run, covering ground much faster than you think."
....a quote from your very own Will Greenwood, last summer, based on his experience playing with him.
[www.telegraph.co.uk]
I suspect this is going to be an extremly hard fought game, with reserves coming from every player.
I'll be there from the off, hope you guys will be as well
Nice preview
Squawker
The game cooperated with the view.
Its a pity that winning ugly does not give the spectacle that would have been nice to finish the season, particularly with the perfect conditions.
Sarries deserved it on the day but it is - as ever - interesting conjecture as to the result if NEV and Marler had played.
The one would have directed our game and distracted Sarries great defence - Joe would have beefed up our front that got mullered on the day.
i hope we qualify for the HC as I genuinely believe we have a lot to offer and the HC needs our kind of rugby
on on quins
Yesterday was once again the inability to perform the basics well under pressure. And how many times were we fingertips away from giving Sarries an interception try? They played the offside line brilliantly and gave Danny and Clegg no space at all to work in.
People are on Clegg's back but honestly I don't see what NEv would have done that would have made that much difference.
on on quins