Premiership semi-final: Saracens vs Gloucester composite XV
The first Gallagher Premiership semi-final of the weekend sees Saracens host Gloucester, in a battle between second and third in the regular season.
Gloucester’s rise up the table and closing of the gap on Saracens and Exeter Chiefs has been impressive, but will it be enough to see them secure a victory at Allianz Park and book a place in the final at Twickenham?
We have balanced up both teams and put together a composite XV ahead of the contest on Saturday, and the results don’t make Gloucester’s chances look too promising.
- Alex Goode, Saracens
Gloucester have had good production from 15 this season, whether it’s been Jason Woodward, Charlie Sharples or even Matt Banahan in the position, but there are few full-backs in the world who would win a head-to-head currently with Goode. His security at the back, counter-attacking and ability to step up as a playmaker in the back line all give Saracens and Goode the advantage here.
- Liam Williams, Saracens
The Welsh international and British and Irish Lion has been consistently effective for Saracens this season and it’s hard to see that changing on Saturday afternoon. His reading of the game and finishing ability out wide have been difference-makers for his side this season.
- Billy Twelvetrees, Gloucester
Alex Lozowski has been excellent and will prove to be a threat, but Twelvetrees has quietly laid down a marker over the last nine months that he is one of the most consistent performers at club level in English rugby. He has linked Gloucester’s potent midfield with their weapons out wide and he has been one of the key reasons behind Gloucester’s march to the playoffs.
- Brad Barritt, Saracens
Another extremely tough call and selections of Lozowski and Mark Atkinson would not cause anyone to bat an eye, but Barritt is a man that has been here and done it so many times in the knockout rounds of Premiership and European rugby. The duel between Barritt and Atkinson won’t draw the interest like the battle of the fly-halves, but it may end up being the more decisive match-up.
- Sean Maitland, Saracens
With breakout star Ollie Thorley on the cusp of Eddie Jones’ Rugby World Cup squad but unavailable for this match, the nod has to go to Maitland. He hasn’t scored as many dazzling solo tries as the 22-year-old. but his finishing and reliability in defence have helped him excel with Saracens. His contest with Sharples has the potential to be an enjoyable one.
- Owen Farrell, Saracens
Like Barritt, Farrell is the man that has been here and done it so many times before, despite being still just 27 years of age. Danny Cipriani has been at the spearhead of Gloucester’s resurgence and good value for his player of the season award, but in the crunch games, there are few who pick against Farrell.
- Ben Spencer, Saracens
From the sniping runs to the game-managing box-kicks, Spencer is rapidly turning himself into the complete scrum-half. If Gloucester gift Saracens any sort of cheap possession, Spencer will swiftly move his side into the right areas of the pitch and punish the Cherry and Whites.
- Richard Barrington, Saracens
Losing Mako Vunipola was always going to make the game a little less special, but Barrington has consistently stepped up for the England international over the last few years. His display in the Heineken Champions Cup final showed that he still has plenty to offer at this level.
- Jamie George, Saracens
Having established himself, beyond any doubt, as England’s number one option this season, George has also made sure that his club form has not suffered as a result. His chemistry at the lineout with his array of jumping options is excellent and the amount of work he gets through in the loose is one of the reasons why Saracens are so hard to unlock in defence and stop in attack.
- Vincent Koch, Saracens
The South African just gives Saracens a little more in the loose than most tightheads, whilst still providing a strong anchor for a functional scrum. As long as he holds his own against Josh Hohneck at the set-piece, his impact on the game is likely to be a positive one.
- Ed Slater, Gloucester
Perhaps the toughest call in the XV, Will Skelton has been in tremendous form for Saracens, although the same can be said of Slater at Gloucester. He won’t be able to match the Australian as a ball-carrier, but his lineout work, mobility and defensive work rate will all be vital for the visitors on Saturday afternoon.
- Franco Mostert, Gloucester
An all-Gloucester second row? Versus Saracens, of all teams? It’s a measure of how well these two have combined in the engine room this season that they are starting ahead of two in-form internationals in Skelton and George Kruis.
- Maro Itoje, Saracens
It doesn’t matter if he’s packing down at four, five or six, Itoje is making the XV. His physicality, technical expertise and leadership all separate him from the chasing pack and he will almost certainly be pivotal to Saracens’ efforts to make it to Twickenham.
- Jaco Kriel, Gloucester
Injuries have plagued Kriel of late in his career, but if he is fully-fit on Saturday, it will take an excellent rucking effort from Saracens to keep him quiet and deny him the pilfers that he thrives on. He could be exactly the kind of breakdown difference-maker that really gives Gloucester a shot at upsetting the European champions.
- Billy Vunipola, Saracens
The powerful number eight was in fine form in the Heineken Champions Cup final victory over Leinster. His combination of power in the tight, energy and work rate in defence and explosive ability in the wider channels is arguably unmatched in world rugby, let alone the Premiership, even for someone as balanced and talented as Ben Morgan.
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Comments on RugbyPass
I’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
37 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
1 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
4 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
1 Go to comments“While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.” And that my friends is where simply hasnt shone despite multiple opportunities. Even in this performance you can see what did him in in the test arena..he almost always still runs at the opposition almost ramrod upright making him easier to stop than it should be.
4 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
4 Go to commentsGreat work Owen Franks. A great of this team, scoring his first try for the Crusaders since 2010.He was beaming, justifiably. A fine win, he and the rest did the job up front.
1 Go to commentsDanny Care. Lang in die tand.
1 Go to commentsBig empty stadium does nothing for atmosphere but munster are playing well with solid performance
1 Go to commentsYes, Fiji can win the World Cup! With that belief plus their christian faith🙏 and hard work it is achievable. Great article. Ian Duncan Fiji resident 1981-84
2 Go to commentsInteresting comments about Touch. England’s hosting the Touch World Cup this year and the numbers have exploded since their last World Cup in 2019, something like 70% more teams and 40 nations taking part. And England Touch have made a big thing about how many universities are in their BUCS University Touch Championship as well as Sport England membership. Can only see this growing even more domestically as more people become aware of it
10 Go to comments“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
4 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
4 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
4 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
38 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
4 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
2 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to comments