Saints vs Saracens - LV cup

Both sides have already qualified for the LV cup semi finals but now there is a home semi final to play for. Both teams are missing numerous players due to call ups in the internationals going on at the weekend plus players being rested.

http://www.northamptonsaints.co.uk/News/TabId/90/ArtMID/526/ArticleID/4604/Saints-change-five-for-Saracens-clash.aspx

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS TEAM TO PLAY SARACENS
LV= Cup Round 4
Franklin’s Gardens
Saturday, February 1st, 2014
Kick off 3:00pm
15 James WILSON
14 Jamie ELLIOTT
13 George PISI
12 Dom WALDOUCK
11 Ken PISI
10 Will HOOLEY
9 Kahn FOTUALI’I
1 Ethan WALLER
2 Mike HAYWOOD
3 Gareth DENMAN
4 Rob VERBAKEL
5 Samu MANOA
6 Teimana HARRISON
7 Ben NUTLEY
8 GJ VAN VELZE (capt)

Replacements
16 Ross MCMILLAN
17 Tom WARREN
18 Adam PARKINS
19 Christian DAY
20 Matt WILLIAMS
21 Alex DAY
22 Stephen MYLER
23 Fa’atoina AUTAGAVAIA

This is quite strong Saints side I would say. Doesn't seem to be many players being rested who aren't away on international duty. Perhaps Dowson?


Saints players missing - Lawes,Hartley,Wood,Burrell,Dickson,Mercey,Clark,North,Corbisiero,Dowson,Foden - 11 players missing


http://www.saracens.com/saracens-team-news/


Saracens starting XV to face Northampton Saints;
15. Ben Ransom; 14. Jack Wilson, 13. Tim Streather, 12. Marcelo Bosch, 11. Michael Tagicakibau; 10. Nils Mordt (capt), 9. Ben Spencer; 1.Rhys Gill, 2. Jared Saunders, 3. Petrus Du Plessis, 4. Hayden Smith, 5. Eoin Sheriff, 6. Nick de Jager, 7. Matt Hankin, 8. Justin Melck.
Replacements; 16. Scott Spurling, 17. Richard Barrington, 18. Matt Stevens, 19. Mouritz Botha, 20. Jacques Burger, 21. Jack Maplesden, 22. Sam Stanley, 23. Tom Jubb.

Saracens player missing - Vunipola x 2,Goode,Barritt,Farrell,Ashton,Strettle,Hodgson,Wigglesworth,De Kock,Fraser,Joubert,Johnston,Tomkins,Tompkins,Earle, Kruis, George,Taylor,Brown,Hargreaves,Brits,Wyles - I count 23 players missing.




Looking at the strength of the two respective sides and home advantage I would expect Saints to win.

Saints have a few others out Waller,Dickinson,Ma'afu,Dickson[FH]
but do look slightly more experienced
Should be a good game

Thought it was a pretty boring game to be honest. However, I'm glad we won obviously!