Saracens vs Biarritz - the crunch pool 5 game

Pool 5

Saracens 14
Biarritz 12
Ospreys 8
Treviso 6


With Saracens' double over Ospreys in Pool 5 of the Heineken Cup, they hold the advantage over their rivals. Ospreys have a very slim chance. To hold any hope they need Biarritz to beat Saracens then beat Biarritz in their own backyard. Essentially the Saracens vs Biarritz game is the winner takes all clash. If Saracens win they could well wrap up the pool and would be on track for a home quarter final. Biarritz are known for their poor away form and have never beaten Saracens at VR. In Biarritz's last trip to VR in 2008 they were put to the sword 45-16 so will be hoping for more luck.

Saracens are unbeaten at VR since Clermont beat them almost a year ago on the 21st Jan 2011.

In terms of form Saracens in their last 3 matches beat the league leaders Quins at Twickenham,drew against Gloucester at VR and beat Bath at VR. Biarritz in their last three matches have improved starting with a loss to Stade Francais away but followed up with a big win over Toulon at home and of course a tough away win vs Agen. In their respective leagues Saracens are 2nd with 10 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses in comparison to Biarritz's 12th with 4 wins, 2 draws and 9 losses.


Saracens line-up vs Biarritz

15 Alex Goode
14 David Strettle
13 Owen Farrell
12 Brad Barritt
11 Chris Wyles
10 Charlie Hodgson
9 Ben Spencer
1 Rhys Gill
2 John Smit
3 Carlos Nieto
4 Steve Borthwick ©
5 Mouritz Botha
6 Kelly Brown
7 Andy Saull
8 Ernst Joubert

16 Jamie George
17 Petrus du Plessis
18 Matt Stevens
19 George Kruis
20 Jackson Wray
21 Peter Stringer
22 Adam Powell
23 James Short

This is a strong team that has been picked. Burger and Brits are still injured but Smit and Saull are good cover.

Heartening to see Nieto starting as he is Saracen's best scrummager.

It includes 7 of the players picked are in the 6 nations squads of England and Scotland.

Strettle,Farrell,Barritt,Hodgson,Botha - all start. With Stevens on the bench.

Brown - chosen for Scotland squad.

2 from the England Saxons start - Alex Goode and Andy Saull.

(Will discuss the Biarritz team when it's announced).


Thoughts?

Biarritz expected team for you :

15 Balshaw
14 Ngwenya
13 Gimenez
12 Traille
11 Bolakoro
10 Bosch or peyrelongue
9 Yachivili

1 Barcella
2 Heguy
3 Gomez Kodela
4 Taele
5 Thion
6 Lauret
7 Guyot
8 Faure / Lakafia

Harinordoquy (minor injury), Marconnet and others on the bench.
pretty much same team that scrapped through Agen

Thanks whocares.

Harinorduquy is not starting? Surprised by that. Quite a big blow.

Can't say I have heard of most of that pack. Could you give me a summary of each player?

with those line-ups, Sarries at home, got to back them by about 10 - 15 points.

Harry's a massive loss for Biarritz.

Sarries in their current form are definite favourites in this one. Should win well.

Unfortunately to the Detriment of us Ospreys fans fortunes.

Maestegmafia unfortunately for you the Ospreys' HC fortunes rested on the double header with Saracens.

Think of the positives though. A poor HC run means you can focus on the Pro12 without your resources being split.

Saracens benefitted from a poor HC last season by having a fresher squad to win the AP.

Of course every side wants to do well in the HC but plenty of rugby to go.

Comfort I really hope you are right and let's be honest you should be. I am wary though because Biarritz do have a talented team. Biarritz will be going for broke. It could be tough.

BS, theres no doubting the talent in that Biarritz side, but Harry's a catalyst for them. With the form Sarries are showing at the moment, they're more than capable to deny Biarritz the bonus point, dependant on how Biarritz play, Sarries could pick up a bonus point. a tough game, but Sarries have been playing very nice rugby recently.

Biarritz are going into this game after convincing wins over Toulon and Agen since the last round of HEC.

Harinourdiquy is on the Bench, returning from injury. Biarritz are only two points behind Saracens, they are still taking this competition seriously still, I dont think they will roll over easily.

Could be a blinding game, especially if Biarritz score first and force Saracens to actually play some rugby instead of time wasting all game after getting a lucky interception score from an offside player as they did vs, Quins and vs the Ospreys.

maestegmafia wrote:Could be a blinding game, especially if Biarritz score first and force Saracens to actually play some rugby instead of time wasting all game after getting a lucky interception score from an offside player as they did vs, Quins and vs the Ospreys.

Not that you're bitter and are completely over it

I think it'll be close, Biarritz have been starting to get on a role while Saracens form seems to be struggling. They only drew to Gloucester at home and managed to sneak a home win against Bath as well.

There could be a surprise in store.

yappysnap wrote:I think it'll be close, Biarritz have been starting to get on a role while Saracens form seems to be struggling. They only drew to Gloucester at home and managed to sneak a home win against Bath as well.

There could be a surprise in store.

It is certainly a possibility, though if i were putting money on a team I would go for Saracens, their displays have been impressively professional. Glaws game aside they keep winning and dont try to do anything other than that. It is all that counts.

Hopefully from an Ospreys perspective Biarritz catch them unaware... But only by 8 points difference and no TBPs.