However, I also hate the fact they always do so well at this stage of the season. I hate the fact they have a coaching set-up than can take a team of Celtic RWC also-rans and turn them into Grand-slammers. I hate their ability to ‘pull one out the bag’ when it matters. I hate their academy set up, which has provided some of England’s most promising talent and that despite having a fraction of Sarries disposable income I hate the fact Wasps have a burgeoning trophy cabinet. 

I know; Jealousy is such an ugly quality in a rugby supporter. 

Cast you mind back approximately twelve months and Saracens managed to hang onto a place in the hallowed Top 4 by their fingernails thus ensuring Wasps did not make the GP pay-offs, the stage of the season they specialise in. However the Pests season did not end in tatters as they overcame the Tigers to win the HC.  

This year it is about-turn. Sarries can all-but-mathematically kiss goodbye to a place in the knock-out stage of the GP, but still have more than a fighting chance of the HC and are having put in their best European run ever. However since Christmas they have under-performed in the league by either squandering possible wins (Falcons Away) and bonus points (Leicester) or just by completely failing to turn up (Bris, Glaws). 

In Contrast, Wasps have strung together a series of GP performances that has not seen them lose for 7 games, but they were knocked out the HC in the group stages.  Sunday’s game is therefore vital for both teams. Wasps are looking to consolidate their place in the upper echelons of the GP, their last chance at silverware this season, while Saracens are fighting to improve the chances that Heineken Cup Rugby and the scenes of a fortnight ago are once again seen in Watford next season.  

Saracens have decided to mark Cipriani’s first Premiership visit to VR by aptly wearing pink³. It is therefore inevitable pre-match build up has focused on the match-up between Jackson and England’s new Golden Boy. I bumped into Cips (and the rest of the Wasps squad) in a service station M&S while driving down to Cardiff for the EDF semis. He looked so small, fragile, physically unassuming and in desperate need of his mum that it reminded me how young Wasps premier talent actually is. This makes his role on the pitch marshalling the Wasps backs and acting as general talisman for the black and yellow supporters even more impressive. Glen Jackson is a bit of a talisman himself. When the Kiwi has a good game Sarries usually perform. When he doesn’t – well, you saw the game at Gloucester.  If Jacko and his half back partner DeKock do not click on Sunday, Saracens could well be left floundering. 

Injuries have affected both teams and while Sarries will welcome back both Gussie and Leonelli this week the Wasps squad have been dropping like flies. Vickery and Walder have both been ruled out for the remainder of the season, and McGeechan describes "Losing a player of Phil's calibre and experience is a major blow." The Men in Black will also hope that the extra game the Pests had to play against Sale mid-week will take its toll physically on the team. 

So it’s a game Sarries must win. But can we?  

That depends on whether it is the mild-mannered Dr Jekyll or the Monster Mr Hyde Saracens that take to the field on Sunday. The big, beefy front-row that has been named may suggest we see more of the latter.  The naming of arguably a full strength squad from those fit, (with the obvious exception of HRHRH) shows that Gaffer is focused on the job in hand and does not have half-an-eye on next week. However I do and would like to see a moral boosting win over the team that Munster knocked out of the HC. 

Blind faith tells me we can do it. I have to believe. 

[1] Anyone who has read Joe Worsley’s self obsessed yawn-feast of a column in ‘The Metro’ knows this shouldn’t be allowed.

[2] Bill Bailey: Part Troll - http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=pmEpvOLTesECONTAINS SOUND

[3] Actually it’s in aid of the cause ‘Tackled Pink’ supporting Breast Cancer Care and raising awareness of the importance of Breast Screening. http://www.guinnesspremiership.com/12625_15407.php 

SARACENS: 15 R. Haughton 14 F. Leonelli 13 K. Sorrell 12 A. Powell 11 K. Ratuvou 10 G. Jackson 9 N. de Kock. 1 N. Lloyd 2 F. Ongaro 3 C. Johnston 4 H. Vyvyan 5 T. Ryder 6 P. Gustard 7 D. Barrell 8 B. Skirving

Replacements:
16. M. Cairns 17. C. Visagie 18. I. Fullarton 19. D. Seymour ;o) 20. M. Rauluni 21. G. Ross 22. R. Penney  

WASPS: 15 Josh Lewsey 14 Paul Sackey 13 Dominic Waldouck 12 Riki Flutey 11 Tom Voyce 10 Danny Cipriani 9 Eoin Reddan 1 Tom French 2 Raphael Ibanez 3 Pat Barnard 4 Simon Shaw 5 Tom Palmer 6 Joe Worsley  7 Tom Rees 8 Lawrence Dallaglio (c)

Replacements:

16 Joe Ward  17 Tim Payne/Michael Holford* 18 George Skivington  19 Dan Leo  20 Mark McMillan  21 Mark Van Gisbergen  22 James Haskell

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