Saracens return home to Allianz Park as European Champions and now have their sights firmly focused on doing the domestic and European double. A side that are veterans of the Premiership play-offs, Leicester Tigers, stand in their way and it’s fair to say it will take something remarkable from the Tigers to prevail at Allianz Park.
Mark McCall has named the same starting XV that won last weekend's European Champions Cup, why wouldn’t you given the option!? Saracens outing against Racing 92 was a hugely physical game and it’s great to see that all are fit to take to the field again and ready to ride the wave of momentum that winning an European Final should provide. There’s only one change on the bench where Neil de Kock comes back after missing the final due to injury and he takes the place of Ben Spencer.
Leicester’s elongated build up to the final, in comparison to their opponents, has given time for some key individuals to recover from injuries. Manu Tuilagi, Mike Fitzgerald and Brendon O’Connor all return to the starting line-up and each should have a significant impact on proceedings. Elsewhere Ben Youngs and Owen Williams continue their strong partnership at half-back and the industrous Dom Barrow and Graham Kitchener will have their hands full contending with Maro Itoje and George Kruis in the second-row.
Without doubt Saracens are strong favourites for this semi-final, they’re packed with confidence, full of energy and whether you like their style or not they’re playing winning rugby and are the best side in Europe. Within the game there are a good number of individual duels to watch out for. First and foremost the contest at the scrummage between Dan Cole and Mako Vunipola will be fascinating because they know each other extremely well and each will be looking to out fox the other. Next I’m intrigued to see which of the two sevens will cause the most disruption at the breakdown because both Will Fraser and Brendon O’Connor like to scavenge and hunt for the ball. Obviously Will has the benefit of more recent game time but Brendon has the potential to bounce back with ease from injury and flourish. Richard Wigglesworth was masterful against Racing 92 and his direct match up with England's Ben Youngs will be another area to watch and take note of.
 |
| (C) Paler Images Telusa Veainu has scored 8 tries this Premiership season |
Leicester have lost all three of their previous visits to Allianz Park and have only scored one try at the venue back in 2013 by Graham Kitchener. The fact that they have Manu Tuilagi back in their side is a huge, huge bonus. Everyone knows that rugby is a team game but when you’ve a presence and an influence like Manu available to you it's provides and huge lift and greater options. Without doubt Manu needs to be as sharp as possible and use his power to punch holes in a defence that at times seems impenetrable. Saracens don't give their oppoents much time on the ball, or room to play with, so having another ball carrier in the backs will be essential. Telusa Veainu, Peter Betham and Vereniki Goneva all have to use their electric handling and footwork to try and out smart Saracens and if they do that alongside Leicester's pack really stepping up then Richard Cockerill's side will put their best foot forward.
Leicester don't take play-off rugby lightly, they'll know that they are underdogs and that no-one is giving them a chance but they have to believe that they're the ones to topple Saracens. Leicester must exploit any hint of fatigue that Saracens may have and take their game to a higher level than we've seen in recent weeks. All of that said this game is Saracens to lose, Mark McCall's side contain some of the best individuals in the business right now and more importantly have a collective understanding and output that’s greater than any other European side.
Saracens: 15 Alex Goode 14 Chris Ashton 13 Duncan Taylor 12 Brad Barritt (C) 11 Chris Wyles 10 Owen Farrell 9 Richard Wigglesworth 1 Mako Vunipola 2 Schalk Brits 3 Petrus Du Plessis 4 Maro Itoje 5 George Kruis 6 Michael Rhodes 7 Will Fraser 8 Billy Vunipola Replacements: 16 Jamie George 17 Richard Barrington 18 Juan Figallo 19 Jim Hamilton 20 Jackson Wray 21 Neil De Kock 22 Charlie Hodgson 23 Marcelo Bosch
Leicester Tigers: 15 Mathew Tait (C) 14 Telusa Veainu 13 Peter Betham 12 Manu Tuilagi 11 Vereniki Goneva 10 Owen Williams 9 Ben Youngs 1 Marcos Ayerza 2 Harry Thacker 3 Dan Cole 4 Dom Barrow 5 Graham Kitchener 6 Mike Fitzgerald 7 Brendon O'Connor 8 Lachlan McCaffrey Replacements: 16 Leonardo Ghiraldini 17 Ellis Genge 18 Logovi'i Mulipola 19 Ed Slater 20 Will Evans 21 Jono Kitto 22 Tommy Bell 23 Adam Thompstone
Leicester Tigers: 15 Mathew Tait (C) 14 Telusa Veainu 13 Peter Betham 12 Manu Tuilagi 11 Vereniki Goneva 10 Owen Williams 9 Ben Youngs 1 Marcos Ayerza 2 Harry Thacker 3 Dan Cole 4 Dom Barrow 5 Graham Kitchener 6 Mike Fitzgerald 7 Brendon O'Connor 8 Lachlan McCaffrey Replacements: 16 Leonardo Ghiraldini 17 Ellis Genge 18 Logovi'i Mulipola 19 Ed Slater 20 Will Evans 21 Jono Kitto 22 Tommy Bell 23 Adam Thompstone
