Semi-final No.1 Northampton v Saracens

[yaboyjj]

At: Franklins Gardens

When: 2:00pm Saturday (BT sport 1)

Teams:

Northampton Saints:

15. Ahsee Tuala
14. Ken Pisi
13. George Pisi
12. Luther Burrell
11. Jamie Elliott
10. Stephen Myler
9. Lee Dickson
1. Alex Corbisiero
2. Dylan Hartley
3. Salesi Ma'afu
4. Courtney Lawes
5. Christian Day
6. Tom Wood
7. Calum Clark
8. Samu Manoa
16. Mike Haywood
17. Alex Waller
18. Gareth Denman
19. Sam Dickinson
20. Jon Fisher
21. Kahn Fotuali'i
22. Tom Stephenson
23. James Wilson


Saracens:

15. Alex Goode
14. Chris Wyles
13. Duncan Taylor
12. Brad Barritt
11. David Strettle
10. Owen Farrell
9. Richard Wigglesworth
1. Mako Vunipola
2. Jamie George
3. Petrus Du Plessis
4. George Kruis
5. Alistair Hargreaves
6. Maro Itoje
7. Jacques Burger
8. Billy Vunipola
16. Schalk Brits
17. Richard Barrington
18. Juan Figallo
19. Jim Hamilton
20. Jackson Wray
21. Neil de Kock
22. Charlie Hodgson
23. Chris Ashton

Pretty much full strength teams, Bosch out and Taylor in for Sarries, also Ashton on bench (go figure).
Somehow Dickson is ahead of Fotuali'i and Farrell ahead of Hodgeson.

In my opinion, it's a stronger Sarries squad than the one that played Saints a couple of week ago, Hargreaves back is a boost- Vunipola on the field makes a big difference and Taylor might be an improvement on Bosch. Itoje v Wood should be a good match up.
Should be a goode game.

 

[chippieolamus]

Very surprised at the Sarries backline selection, I would've played Wyles at 13 with Ashton on the wing and Bosch as the 23. Also would've started Hodgson. I actually think Sarries have a big chance to cause an upset here. Last time we played Saints we were on top until Billy got injured, so hopefully we can win as long as he stays on the pitch.

 

[91jmay]

Our pack has been all over them so far. Calum Clark, Wood and Hartley superb so far.

 

[Patchey]

Itoje monstering Lawes there.

 

[91jmay]

Burrell and Manoa has had a superb first halves as well. Itoje has impressed for Sarries

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Wood, itoje, Clarke and Hartley all playing well.

Random question, would barritt have made a better flanker? I think so

 

[Patchey]

Gardner really wanted to bin Hartley there didn't he?

Crackling game!

 

[yaboyjj]

grrr, can't stand Lee Dickson- utter pillock. Spends more time looking for penalties and mouthing off to players than playing the ball.
If there something in the water at Norts? Dickson, Clark, Hartley, Ma'afu..

Pretty even game I'd say- the benches will go a long way in determining this game imo

 

[91jmay]

What a hit. Super game so far. Hartley and Wood are playing as well as I can remember.

 

[91jmay]

Huge scores for Sarries that, we need to get some ball in hand. Sarries pack taking over game now.

- - - Updated - - -

Fantastic response. Wood deserved that score.

 

[Patchey]

Ah, Binny has made an appearance again!

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

What's with the ref and looking for reasons to bin Dylan? Strange considering the constant foul play of the sarries players today

 

[91jmay]

^ Agree, Burger has been involved in 4 or 5 scuffles but he is looking for Hartley all the time.

 

[91jmay]

Credit to Sarries, have worked so hard and deserved win. We had chances but execution let us down. Superb kick from OF.

 

[yaboyjj]

Fair play to Farrell, he isn't a complete player- but can't call him a flake.

 

[TheSaffycen]

Was at work so haven't seen the game. Did we deserve this or were we lucky ?

 

[ratsapprentice]

For all it's intensity, this hasn't been the highest quality of games.

 

[chippieolamus]

Phew. Phew. Unlucky Saints, great game.

 

[91jmay]

Was at work so haven't seen the game. Did we deserve this or were we lucky ?

Deserved. Superb performance

 

[Maverick1987]

Well that game didn't help anyone change their mind about hating Owen Farrell any less . I now understand why the celts think he's a horrible little man ....