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It’s been over a year since Exeter Chiefs and Saracens last faced off in the Gallagher Premiership, and one suspects that the Londoner’s sojourn to the RFU Championship hasn’t made the heart grow fonder on either side of the equation.
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It all makes for a mouthwatering contest at Sandy Park.
Here we select a composite XV made of the two sides that are lining out this weekend, and despite Saracens’ slightly superior form in the competition to date, the Chiefs edge it eight selections to seven.
15 MAX MALINS
Hogg, who will be lining out against England’s Max Malins this weekend has brought very decent Autumn Nations Series form back to the Gallagher Premiership, but is just pipped by the superb Malins to the 15 jersey. Malins is the competition’s leading try-scorer with eight to his name this season.
14 JACK NOWELL
Although he hasn’t featured for England since 2019, Nowell has shown he’s still a force to be reckoned with the Gallagher Premiership. Picked ahead of Alex Lewington.
13 HENRY SLADE
Starting to find the form at international level that his Premiership performances have promised. He edges Lozowski, who has found himself regularly deployed in the centre since his return from Montpellier.
12 NICK TOMPKINS
Another tight call over 34-year-old Ian Whitten, who has been excellent for Chiefs in his nine years at the club. Since moving back to Saracens from the Dragons, Tompkins’ tireless work rate and ability to make things happen around him, win this call.
11 TOM O’FLAHERTY
Elliot Daly hasn’t played any rugby since the Lions, so it’s impossible to justify his inclusion ahead of the O’Flaherty, who was among Chiefs’ form backs last season.
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The teams meet at Sandy Park in what is a first Premiership game between them since September 2020.#GallagherPrem #EXEvSAR https://t.co/DSpZxGDjry
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) December 3, 2021
10 JOE SIMMONDS
Simmonds is recalled at fly-half in the only change to the back line from that which took to the field at The Rec. Somehow not involved in the England 10 debate, although his trophy cabinet might beg to differ.
9 ALED DAVIES
Saracens Aled Davies beats Jack Maunder to the No.9 spot. Maunder has gone under the radar a bit since winning a single England cap in 2019, but remains a favourite of Rob Baxter. Hard to separate these two, but Davies’ sharp form so far this season wins the day.
1 MAKO VUNIPOLA
Another one of Eddie Jones’ England omissions, despite excellent Premiership form. The Lions loosehead’s omission from the Autumn Nations Series was sorely missed, not least given the hammering they took at the hands of the Springboks in the competition finale. He is selected ahead of Chiefs’ Alec Hepburn.
2 LUKE COWAN-DICKIE
England and British and Irish Lions hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie returns to Chiefs side after several weeks out and makes the cut ahead of Saracens’ Welsh loanee Ethan Lewis.
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3 VINCENT KOCH
Mr Bombsquad was a huge cog in both the Rugby Championship and the end of year tour for the Springboks, and would make most world team’s at tighthead – with the exception of Ireland. He’s chosen over the relatively inexperienced Kiwi Josh Iosefa-Scott.
4 MARO ITOJE
A tough call for Scotland international Jonny Gray, although Itoje’s form on the world stage continues to impress, even if he isn’t quite pulling up trees in 2021. Gray’s excellence goes unrewarded here.
5 JONNY HILL
An outwardly relaxed sort, the career trajectory of the freshly minted Lion seems to be one of constant improvement. Saracens’ Nick Isiekwe – who spent a year at Northampton Saints last season – has seemingly fallen out of favour with England, having not added to his three caps since 2018.
6 DAVE EWERS
The giant back row’s effort may not have earned him international honours but this hulking forward’s sheer brutality wins the day over Saracens veteran Jackson Wray.
7 BEN EARL
At the start of 2021 it seemed like Earl appeared to be on route to cementing a permanent role in England, but he has become a victim of immense back row depth at Test level. His explosiveness gets him the nod ahead of the superb Don Armand.
Stop it Sam 🤯 pic.twitter.com/Pg0ysHF7Dq
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 27, 2021
8 SAM SIMMONDS
After a few decent cameos on the Lions tour after a clamour for his inclusion, the compact Simmonds locks down the pack at No.8, having carries his fantastic form into 2021/22. It’s hard call on Billy Vunipola, who it’s become popular to criticise. The giant No.8 has been excellent for Saracens this season, even if he isn’t quite flavour of the month.
Comments on RugbyPass
I’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
19 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
19 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
12 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
1 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
19 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
17 Go to commentsNot good to hear Ulster described as “financially troubled”. Did not think it was getting to that level. I would hope the Irish system of spreading players of talent away from Leinster would kick in now. Better to have a Leinster fringe player with Ulster or Connacht, then getting only a few games a season in Dublin. 10, for example, would seem to be a case for spreading the talent. I would not be at all adverse to a SA man coming in as head coach/DR. Ludeke is worth trying. Certainly got a long and impressive coaching career at this level…..149 games in SR, then Japan, 30 years experience. And Ulster’s ledger of successful SA coaches and players is on the positive side. Is talk of Ruan Pienaar interested in coming back as a coach…..could be a good combination with Ludeke. And Pienaar and family would have no settling in to do, one would judge. He loved life in Ulster when there, by all reports.
1 Go to commentsSome thoughts to consider here, Sam. Thanks
2 Go to commentsI think he is right, SBW is respected in RSA. The guy who never stood up is a worm. Sseems lots of NZ SBW hate, you do the crime do the time.
12 Go to commentsAfter missing the curfew, the player was simply too “Shagged” to stand up.
12 Go to commentsVernier is probably the best 12 in the world though she has some English competition these days . I am nervous for England because it is unpredictable France and who knows which team will turn up, but they have not yet shown anything that should worry England, Saturday could be a different day. I would be more confident against the BFs.
1 Go to commentsWhat a difference Rodda and Carter made. Rodda has been out for ages but he is really the only world class lock in Australian rugby. Him, Carter and Beale made a huge difference on the weekend. If only they had a few decent props they’d be a much more dangerous team. Hamish Stewart was excellent last week as well. His carrying has improved significantly and has to be next in line after Paisami at 12 for the Wallabies. He’ll benefit hugely with Beale at fullback, there’s just no better communicator in Australian rugby than him and his experience will make a huge difference for the Force. No one sees space like Beale and he’s still sharp. I can see Force making a late charge into the top 8 if they can get some consistency.
2 Go to commentsRodda will be a walk up starter at lock. Frost if you analyse his dominance has little impact and he’s a long way from being physical enough, especially when you compare to Rodda and the work he does. He was quite poor at the World Cup in his lack of physicality. Between Rodda and Skelton we would have locks who can dominate the breakdown and in contact. Frost is maybe next but Schmidt might go for a more physical lock who does their core work better like Ryan or LSL. Swain is no chance unless there’s a load of injuries. Pollard hasn’t got the scrum ability yet to be considered. Nasser dominated him when they went toe to toe and really showed him up. Picking Skelton effects who can play 6 and 8. Ideally Valetini would play 6 as that’s his best position and Wilson at 8 but that’s not ideal for lineout success. Cale isn’t physical enough yet in contact and defence but is the best backrow lineout jumper followed by Wright, Hanigan and Swinton so unfortunately Valetini probably will start at 8 with Wright or Hanigan at 6. Wilson on the bench, he’s got too much quality not to be in the squad. Paisami is leading the way at 12 but Hamish Stewart is playing extremely well also and his ball carrying has improved significantly. Beale is also another option based on the weekend. Beale is class but he’s also the best communicator of any Australian backline player and that can’t be underestimated, he’ll be in the mix.
8 Go to commentsWhy do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
19 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
12 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
2 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
2 Go to comments