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Saracens pick just four of their Champions Cup final XV for opener in Paris
Crisis club Saracens will open their Champions Cup title defence in Paris on Sunday with an XV containing just four of the players that started last May’s cup final win over Leinster.
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Dealing with the ramifications of being found guilty of salary cap breaches by Premiership Rugby, a £5.3million fine and a 35-point deduction if their appeal is unsuccessful, the Londoners suggested they might not go full tilt in trying to successfully defend their European crown.
Another factor impinging on selection for Racing is the need to rest a contingent of players who were away at a World Cup where England reached the final.
It has all added up to leave director of rugby Mark McCall picking just four players who started at St James’ Park six months ago.
The backline features midfielder Alex Lozowski and scrum-half Ben Spencer, who fleetingly featured in the World Cup final off the bench after being called up following a semi-final injury to Willi Heinz.
(Continue reading below…)
Upfront, American prop Titi Lamositele and Australian Will Skelton are the only repeat picks in a pack that at least includes Jack Singleton, the newly-signed hooker whose World Cup with England amounted to a short run off the bench in a pool game versus the USA.
Fly-half Manu Vunipola is set for his first strides in Europe with the Londoners, as is winger Rotimi Segun. Callum Hunter-Hill and Matt Gallagher are also in from the outset.
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A pre-game TV interview on Saturday is the first time Mark McCall has been heard from since last Tuesday's salary cap revelations about Saracens https://t.co/jFrsWg6Lov
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 9, 2019
Fresh from his involvement with the World Cup-winning Springboks, Vincent Koch is chosen as a replacement as is fellow South African Damian Willemse.
SARACENS (v Racing, Sunday)
15. Matt Gallagher, 14. Sean Maitland, 13. Alex Lozowski, 12. Nick Tompkins, 11. Roti Segun, 10. Manu Vunipola, 9. Ben Spencer, 1. Rhys Carre, 2. Jack Singleton, 3. Titi Lamositele, 4. Will Skelton, 5. Callum Hunter-Hill, 6. Nick Isiekwe, 7. Ben Earl, 8. Jackson Wray (capt). Reps: 16. Joe Gray, 17. Sam Crean, 18. Vincent Koch, 19. Joel Kpoku, 20. Sean Reffell, 21. Tom Whiteley, 22. Damian Willemse, 23. Duncan Taylor.
WATCH: Going Pro – The RugbyPass behind the scenes documentary with the Saracens women’s team
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Comments on RugbyPass
Why 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.
14 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.
9 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.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
1 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
7 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
7 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
9 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
7 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
14 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
7 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
9 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
9 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
14 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
14 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
7 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
9 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
14 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
14 Go to comments