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Saracens in no way weak heading to Paris despite so many missing players
Unlike many of their English counterparts, Saracens have decided not to introduce many of their national players back into the fray for their Champions Cup contest with Racing 92 in Paris this weekend.
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This was expected, as the reigning champions look set to be handed a 35-point deduction in the Gallagher Premiership for breaching the salary cap. Subsequently, their European endeavours will play second fiddle this season as they plough all of their resources into survival in the Premiership.
Equally, Mark McCall may still be resting his England players due to their heavy workload in Japan, as they made up the spine of Eddie Jones’ team and were frequently used.
However, while the Vunipola brothers, Maro Itoje, Owen Farrell and Elliot Daly are still absent, it would still be a stretch to say that this side is weak.
Solid team there. It’s nice that we’re giving the World Cup boys a break.
— Matt (@consistentmedia) November 15, 2019
The starting front row of Rhys Carre, Jack Singleton and Titi Lamositale have all come from RWC campaigns with Wales, England and the USA respectively, while RWC winner Vincent Koch sits on the bench.
Likewise, Ben Spencer and Sean Maitland were also in Japan. Will Skelton, Nick Isiekwe and Alex Lozowski are Test players, and Ben Earl, captain Jackson Wray and Nick Tompkins would likely start in a full-strength side.
https://twitter.com/Stephen91314828/status/1195313048061448193?s=20
Of course, many would say that due to the salary cap breaches Saracens have been accused of, they can afford to rest so many players and still have such a sensational squad. Nonetheless, while their attention may possibly be on their domestic front this season, they can still be competitive in Europe, albeit in a devilish pool with Racing 92, Munster and the Ospreys.
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It's not exactly a poor side though Andy, one World cup winner on the bench
— Bazza (@Bazza_68) November 15, 2019
The reigning Premiership champions travelled to Gloucester last weekend in the midst of the storm that surrounds them and still managed to come away with a solid win.
Regardless of who is missing, McCall’s side are always a hard nut to crack and they could prove that in the opening rounds of the Champions Cup.
Looks like a Decent side to me and a Club that’s looking forward to the future ???
— Mark Todd (@MarkVRTodd) November 15, 2019
Should they come away from the first few rounds in a good position, their England players will surely filter into the squad as the Champions Cup progresses.
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If they look as though they will be able to ensure safety domestically in spite of the 35-point deficit, their attention can turn to winning their fourth European title.
https://twitter.com/Lewis63Mark/status/1195354002231308290?s=20
The best thing from Saracens’ perspective is that this is the perfect time to face Racing, who have only won three games from their opening nine in the Top 14. If they can come away from La Defense Arena with any points, their European hopes will be very much alive.
WATCH: Former Saracens player Jim Hamilton discusses the salary cap scandal surrounding his old club
Comments on RugbyPass
smith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
36 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
9 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
36 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
2 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
36 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
36 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
36 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’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.
36 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.
36 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 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.
2 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.
36 Go to comments