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Follow all the action on the RugbyPass live blog from the Gallagher Premiership match between Harlequins and Saracens at the Stoop.
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Keep up to date with the latest score, stats and join the conversation from anywhere in the world in our Live Match Centre (click here).
The trip across London is the first match in relegated Saracens’ 14-game journey to the Championship. The reigning English and European champions’ demise was confirmed by Premiership Rugby last weekend following non-compliance with the £7million salary cap this season.
It came on the back of them being docked 35 league points and fined £5.36m in November for salary cap breaches across the last three campaigns.
Lying 19 points adrift of eleventh-placed Leicester, that is now an irrelevance, with clubs like the Tigers and London Irish, in tenth, knowing they are safe from being dragged into any relegation dogfight.
(Continue reading below…)
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With Saracens down, it is likely to mean a surreal atmosphere at the Twickenham Stoop, where Quins will continue jostling for a top-six place. “As always, it will be a keenly-contested match,” Quins head of rugby Paul Gustard said.
“We have great respect for Saracens as a rugby team and know we will have to be at our best to get the result we want.
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“Both sides have equal numbers of players out due to injuries or internationals. We want to continue to develop our game and move on up. We’ve had another good week training in preparation for this match, and we are confident going into the game.”
Grudge match! https://t.co/snVwdwnp8d
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) January 24, 2020
Chris Robshaw returns to captain Quins, while Matt Symons and Stephan Lewies forge the second-row combination and centre Paul Lasike is back after injury.
Saracens show six changes in the pack, with only prop Vincent Koch and number eight Jackson Wray remaining following last weekend’s victory over Racing 92 that secured a Heineken Champions Cup quarter-final place.
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Manu Vunipola and Richard Wigglesworth team up again at half-back, and Alex Lozowski returns to midfield duties alongside skipper Brad Barritt.
The bench, meanwhile, includes academy pair Callum Hunter-Hill and Joel Kpoku, with Elliott Obatoyinbo poised for a possible Premiership debut.
HARLEQUINS: 15. Aaron Morris; 14. Ross Chisholm, 13. Cadan Murley, 12. Paul Lasike, 11. Gabriel Ibitoye; 10. Marcus Smith, 9. Danny Care; 1. Santiago Garcia Botta, 2. Elia Elia, 3. Will Collier, 4. Stephan Lewies, 5. Matt Symons, 6. James Chisholm, 7. Chris Robshaw, 8. Alex Dombrandt. Reps: 16. Jack Musk, 17. Nick Auterac, 18. Simon Kerrod, 19. Tevita Cavubati, 20. Semi Kunatani, 21. Martin Landajo, 22. Brett Herron, 23. Tom Penny.
SARACENS: 15. Matt Gallagher; 14. Alex Lewington, 13. Alex Lozowski, 12. Brad Barritt (capt), 11. Rotimi Segun; 10. Manu Vunipola, 9. Richard Wigglesworth; 1. Richard Barrington, 2. Jack Singleton, 3. Vincent Koch, 4. Callum Hunter-Hill, 5. Joel Kpoku, 6. Nick Isiekwe, 7. Calum Clark, 8. Jackson Wray. Reps: 16. Tom Woolstencroft, 17. Titi Lamositele, 18. Josh Ibuanokpe, 19. Andy Christie, 20. Sean Reffell, 21. Ben Spencer, 22. Dom Morris, 23. Elliott Obatoyinbo.
WATCH: Damning report reveals the extent of the Saracens salary cap breaches
Comments on RugbyPass
Loose forwards always look good going forward and winning. It’s the same loose forwards for the Crusaders and the Canes this year as last year. Too much of the shiny new things getting noticed here while older consistent ones getting bagged. It’s early days. Calm the farm.
5 Go to commentsThanks Nick, and on the money. We tend to be apathetic until something REALLY BAD happens, then we aren't! At least this applies to the Reb players and coach, if not the spectators. They seem to be getting very quick ball at times. Have they altered something, or is it just all of the skills coming together at the right time? It seems almost the opposite of the Reds, who started the season with quick ball, but haven't been showing that in the last 3 losing games. Is it attitude (McDermott hasn't looked “right” to me for 3 weeks), or something else?
9 Go to commentsGood summary. As said, Sevu Reece has been electrifying for the Crusaders. Great try and he has been everywhere. Amazing he is now equal with Caleb Ralph , club record of 52 tries for the Crusaders. That record beckons. Good to see Dallas McLeod getting regular starts at last. A big few weeks are ahead.
5 Go to commentsGood article/interview.As was said Christian Lio-Willie was barnstorming when he came on for the Crusaders. What happened at the end, self-explanatory.Captain fantastic Scott Barrett is due back soon as well, once they are back from Aussie. Great to see Ethan Blackadder back last week.
1 Go to commentsYou must have been watching one team, Andrew - and even then you missed the brightest star in the Chiefs pack - Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 2 turnovers, genuine line-out presence and grunt around the field, and the soft hands of a back.
5 Go to commentsHaha what a crock of sh!t these headlines are. Moorby’s best year was that first. Still doesn’t seem to have the same game about him as when he was fresh but has bounced back well this season to be playing consistent tight accurate footy
1 Go to commentsIt’s even dumber than Bernard Foley not kicking the penalty to touch in the Melbourne Bledisloe in 2022.
3 Go to commentsYes, they are traveling well but it’s early days. The Chiefs were in front with 20 to go while they snatched a last minute win v the Reds. Keep calm.
1 Go to commentsThe failure of the Irish system / rugby playing style to produce their own backs has them looking elsewhere for innovation and flair - not that Jordie has much flair. He’s a converted fullback. The Canes have plenty of other younger options.
9 Go to comments1.Watch Wallace Sititi be the wild card AB. A genuine full time no 8 2. Luke J like Sotutu has not delivered. 3. Chiefs have all the right cattle but badly miss the leadership of Webber. LJ is about as unconvincing as Sam Cane when under the pump. They had the winning of that game in the second half then fell apart.
5 Go to commentsYes the Rebels are showing signs of life because they are literally playing for their live -lihoods and thanks to their Australian attack coach. However they are still playing an essentially dull boring south african style for the rest of the time. And Geoff Parling must be the most useless lineout coach ever. Worse than Steve Hansen even. Interestingly we are starting to see more cheap shots and attempts to get away with cheating by Australian players, now they are being influenced by Joe Schmidt. It was exactly the same when Rennie started out as Wallaby coach and thru his tenure. Trying to teach Australians to play like kiwis doesn’t work, as the last 20 years has conclusively demonstrated. Especially when we are not as good at it as kiwis. Which of course is the whole idea …..
9 Go to commentsGreat signing, not sure where he’ll fit in though. As for him ‘playing alongside RG Snyman, that’s highly debatable given the likelyhood that the latter will spend most of the season on sick leave.
9 Go to commentsWowee!
9 Go to commentsEvery team that has played a game in Africa this Champions Cup season is already out of the competition - including the SA teams. Could be a concidence.
30 Go to commentsthat should offer some experiences for Jordie.
9 Go to commentsJust remember: He is not a winger. Took Ian Foster 2 years to figure that out.
9 Go to commentsExcellent article, Nick. We (your RP colleague Brett McKay and my 8/9 Combo cohost), are going to have LSL on our podcast later this month. He has shown consistent excellence as a leader and lock. I’ll chat with you offline about a line of questioning if you have time. H
9 Go to commentsSo no Irish fan or journalist suggested JGP was as good as DuPont. Then even the guy who supposedly did is from Wales and said JGP would be the best around if it was t for DuPont. Right, so what is this story about again
19 Go to commentsGreat news for the URC. Leinster will always attract top talent. Another huge name added to their stable
9 Go to commentsWhen you look at Australian Rugby you can see the talent coming through. There’s young players everywhere. They have the makings of a strong Wallaby team for years to come if they trust their young players. There might be some short term pain but after 30 or 40 caps together a Wallaby group comprised of the current youngsters will really be top class. It seems like the threat of going under has focused the Rebels both on and off the field. They are having a go like a team with nothing to lose and winning back the fans whilst silencing their detractors. Its funny how an existential threat can spur a team on to new highs. Taking rugby back to the communities will help to build support and create a true team for the community and one rooted into it. It may just work and save the Rebels and if they can get the financing then maybe let them have a go at reinvention. I do feel though that Australian Rugby has one too many franchises. If the Rebels die all these solid young players get infused into other franchises who will have more money, depth and resources. It would make the Australian Rugby franchises so much stronger and they may come to achieve parity with the best franchises from NZ. Super Rugby is throwing up some really entertaining games. Not too much good defence but certainly high pace, try scoring magic on display. Melbourne are no exception to this.
9 Go to comments