News: AP: Saracens vs Northampton Saints - Match Preview
By propajob
March 1 2012
This weekend sees the last round of Aviva Premiership matches to be affected by Six Nations call-ups and Saints travel to Watford late Sunday afternoon to take on Saracens at Vicarage Road. Propajob looks ahead to an intriguing match...
SARACENS vs. NORTHAMPTON SAINTS
AP: Sunday, 4th March 2012 - 5pm (ESPN)
VICARAGE ROAD, WATFORD
MATCH PREVIEW
So here we are with another “crunch” match against our old friends down in Watford. It’s Saracens in second place plays the Saints in third place. A win for Sarries will give them some breathing space for a home semi final. A win for Saints could see them leap frog Sarries and move into the coveted home semi final spot.
The media now promotes any Sarries v Saints game as a grudge match, following the various issue’s between the clubs over the last couple of years. Most sports supporters like to have bragging rights over rivals. Saints fans always want to have bragging rights over Tigers first and foremost, fact. However, any win over Sarries (and no doubt vice versa) will bring much joy to a Saints fan. I do not think the fans see this as a grudge match so much anymore, but nevertheless, you always want to beat the Champions – which Sarries currently are.
The Saints beat Sarries, 30 – 8 at Franklins Gardens in round nine. Sarries had won all their away games up to that point. The prospect of doing the double over Sarries exists for Saints, and this alone will be unbearable for Sarries.
There is so much to play for on Sunday.
The Saints and Sarries are both without a significant number of first choice players owing to international call up or injury. Therefore, both clubs are reasonably even stevens. At the time of writing, it is unknown if any international players are going to be released back to the clubs and therefore it is difficult to pick the team. If we don’t get any players back, I would expect the starting line up to be very similar to the team that played against London Irish last week. There were some standout performances, but in the main, I thought the whole team put their hands up and ground out the win (not just any win, a 5 pointer!). For this reason, I think Jim will in main stick with the same team.
Match results in recent games between the two clubs differs. Sarries have lost their last two games, although picked up a losing bonus point in both. Their last win was three weeks ago, when they beat Wasps away, 17–22. Saints have won their last two games, picking up 9 points, with their last loss being against Gloucester away, 27-24, picking up a losing bonus point. Losing two games in a row could have different effects on Sarries. They could be the wounded animal with pride dented, and charged to secure a win at all costs. However, confidence could be a big issue. It does not take long to get into the losing habit. Saints on the other hand will have a lot of confidence, after grinding out the recent wins. But, Saints have not won at Vicarage Road for quite a while, 7 years I believe.
The whistler, will be David Rose, reffing his 99th game. (David Rose was the ref in the middle of the controvesary in January 2010, caused by Dr Brendan Venter, following Sarries home defeat that day to Leicester). There has been much written about the impact of the ref’s lately. Both teams and all supporters can only hope that the taking points of the match will not involve the ref. That is all I am saying on this subject.
Both teams are going to have to be at their best to get a win. Errors will be costly. The Saints are going to have to combat Sarries excellent kick chase and defensive game. The Sarries are going to have to be able to deal with the power of the Saints forwards and excellent set piece work. Both clubs have very good defensive records, the best in the league in fact, with points against being 261 and 271 for Sarries and Saints respectively. Attack wise, Saints are much better placed than Sarries, with Saints being the third highest points scorers with 388 points scored, one point behind Quins. (Sarries have amassed 330 points).
A few more facts for you:
Sarries:
- For Sarries, the 1997–98 season, was a landmark year. They began a ground share with Watford FC and their 22,000 all seater Vicarage Road Stadium, which continues to this day. The appointment of a Marketing Director saw Saracens splashed all over the broadsheets, tabloids, magazines and TV and with the help of a small band of be-fezzed followers that had been following the club for a number of years, the Year of the Fez began.
- The Saints have played at Franklins Gardens since 1880, when the club was born.
- Sarries have only lost consecutive premiership games just once since 2006.
- The Saints have not done the double over Sarries since 2003/2004
So who will win? Easy. I think the Saints will storm the Vicarage, have the try bonus point in the bag by half time, and record their biggest ever win margin over Sarries. I know that’s than wishful thinking. I think this match result is just too hard to call, but if you make me, then I am going for a Saints win, just.
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Tetleys Block F E143
No alcohol for January. I'm a dryathlete in aid of cancer research.
Dryathlon
Who removed my H.R. Giger picture?
Top of the League 2014-2015 Season
A lot will depend on whether we get guys like Borthwick back on the field to steady the ship. Weather forecast on BBC looks pretty grim, so expect plenty of up-and-unders!
*I could agree with you - but then we'd both be wrong...*
Propajob, sorry!
COYSDC has been spoiled in recent weeks with some fine articles. You've just given us another one.
Thank you!
