The 2014/15 Aviva Premiership Semi Finals will kick off at Franklin’s Gardens between the Northampton Saints and Saracens. This is a rivalry that we all have grown to love immensely, it has a bite to it that is almost akin to a Derby Day and when you add on the fact that this is a repeat of last year's Final and it is a game of knockout rugby then you know that we are in for a colossal encounter.
Saracens are a team that aren't bothered a bit by playing away from home, some teams are fazed and suffered from travel sickness but on the whole that isn't Saracens' Style. Arguably their largest performances this year, the performances that showed their ample spirit and character came away from home, particularly in France. Naturally Franklin’s Gardens will not be on their side but if you’ve faced the wrath of the Clermont's Yellow Army in an atmosphere that was described 'out of this world' by Brian O'Driscoll and Lawrence Dallaglio then I believe that you’ve amassed the experienced to head to Franklin's Gardens. This season Mark McCall’s side have ticked over nicely, they have taken the 'steady' approach as opposed to front running. Prior to Christmas they were ticking along and after the festive season have ramped things up considerably... it hasn’t been plain sailing but that may be beneficial.
The Northampton Saints have also endured their fair share of character building moments both domestically and in Europe however the defending Champions are in the position that they wanted to be in after twenty two rounds of action. The Saints form book makes for great reading; their only loss at Franklin’s Gardens in their last 14 games of Aviva Premiership Rugby was to Exeter in November and they haven’t lost consecutive matches in the tournament for thirteen months. On Saturday afternoon I expect their big game players to rocket out of the blocks, fresh from their week's rest... the home side's aim will be to lead this one from start to finish and never let Saracens hit their straps.
The Northampton Saints have also endured their fair share of character building moments both domestically and in Europe however the defending Champions are in the position that they wanted to be in after twenty two rounds of action. The Saints form book makes for great reading; their only loss at Franklin’s Gardens in their last 14 games of Aviva Premiership Rugby was to Exeter in November and they haven’t lost consecutive matches in the tournament for thirteen months. On Saturday afternoon I expect their big game players to rocket out of the blocks, fresh from their week's rest... the home side's aim will be to lead this one from start to finish and never let Saracens hit their straps.
This game is going to be an incredible battle of power, both side’s packs are monstrous filled with physical specimens that only know one gear. Two of the top Number 8s, Billy Vunipola and Samu Manoa will be colliding together with seismic force and the breakdown is going to be absolutely savage, there simply isn’t any other way of saying it. Both side’s must play with squeaky clean discipline for the radars of Stephen Myler and Owen Farrell are highly accurate. As we saw at the Stadium mK and at Allianz Park across the park these two sides are evenly matched, both house solid set pieces, contain men that work themselves into the ground; Burger & Clark in particular and both house wing men that know exactly how to make things happen from nothing.
History and their previous two Premiership meetings says that home advantage will prevail and the Saints will head to Twickenham to try and defend their title, however Saracens are a side packed with talent, a never say die attitude and a power game to match the best of them. If Saracens get the bit between their teeth and silence the Franklin’s Gardens crowd early then who knows. This is going to be fascinating…
Team Stats & Facts
- The Northampton Saints are the second best home side in Premiership Rugby having equalled Bath in obtaining 47 league points from their 11 encounters.
- This is Saracens’ sixth successive Aviva Premiership Semi Final and in that time they have won three and lost three.
Player Stats & Facts
- Calum Clark has won 16 turnovers already this season and made 196 tackles
- Stephen Myler has scored 222 points this season in 20 appearances and has a success rate of 73% [85 out of 116]
- Charlie Hodgson has taken the majority of the kicking duties at Saracens and has a 80% conversion rate [53 out of 66].
- In the back line, Chris Ashston and the very versatile Chris Wyles have scored 25 tries between them.
In total there have been 21 previous Premiership Rugby Semi-Final matches with only 4 being won by away sides, a tiny 19% success rate.
