Many had tipped the Fez Boyz to finish at least in the top three this season after they added to an already quality squad in the summer (though they lost Raphael Ibanez to Wasps), but a mixed season sees the southerners in seventh place for the visit of Newcastle.

Saracens’ Premiership season started badly with a defeat to Wasps at Twickenham, followed by defeats at Worcester and at home to Sale with only one win, 34-16 over Leeds, in between.  Since then however, Saracens beat Bristol 23-11 away, Northampton 28-22 in Watford and last week boss Steve Diamond was disappointed that they could only draw 12-12 in Bath after Glen Jackson missed two late drop goal attempts.  Thus, with 18 points, Sarries lie 7^th in the table (as Irish did last weekend – and we know what happened then).

In the Heineken Cup they have done better however, winning both matches so far, at home to Biarritz and against Treviso in Italy ahead of December’s double header with Ulster.

We have only won once at Vicarage Road, 24-19 in December 2001.  Having lost there twice last season in league and cup and drawing at KP in the league, we will again have a tough time this weekend against a squad whose non-internationals include the likes of Richard Haughton, Dan Harris and Kevin Sorrell, as well as the latest rugby league convert Andy Farrell.

On the international front, the following Saracens have represented their countries: Mark Bartholomeusz (Australia, 1 cap), Kyran Bracken (England), Ben Broster (Wales), Shane Byrne (Ireland), Thomas Castaignede (France), Iain Fullarton (Scotland), Richard Hill (England), Ben Johnston (England), Nicky Little (Fiji), Simon Raiwalui (Fiji), Moses Rauluni (Fiji), Taine Randell (NZ), Alex Sanderson (England), Dan Scarbrough (England), Hugh Vyvyan (England), Kevin Yates (England), Cobus Visagie (SA).

That lot number 2 World Cup winners (Bracken and Hill), and our former captain Vyvyan who was made skipper immediately after moving south, and has been a revelation for the men in black and red.  What is more, a battering front row of Yates, Byrne and Visagie, although the Irishman should be absent on Sunday, talented locks in Fullarton and Raiwalui and a back row which, if all were fit would have to choose one of Vyvyan, Sanderson, Hill and Randell out means that if ever our creaking pack had a chance to show their mettle, now is the time.

Unfortunately, for about the first time, I have to say I find it difficult to see us winning.  As I’ve said, Saracens have an impressive set of forwards and in the backs they have a superb combination of pace (Haughton, Johnston and Scarbrough), creativity (Bartholomeusz and Castaignede) and experience (Bracken).  Our away form in the Premiership may have improved but we still have no killer instinct, nor would you bet on us taking enough of the few attacking chances we will have if our forwards are not up to the task.

I will still be there, shouting my nut off, and I urge all fellow travellers to do the same.  It will make any victory all the sweeter.  But I won’t be going to Watford on Sunday with much optimism.

P.S. One more thing – did many people know that Saracens official site claims to be “Probably the best club rugby website in the world”?  Imagine the uproar if a club in which Rob Andrew were involved made this claim!

No Sarries team until Friday, but the Falcons team is:-

15 Matthew Burke
14 Tom May
13 Mathew Tait
12 Toby Flood
11 James Hoyle
10 Jonny Wilkinson (captain)
9 James Grindal
1 Micky Ward
2 Andy Long
3 Robbie Morris
4 Andy Perry
5 Geoff Parling
6 Mike McCarthy
7 Cory Harris
8 Jason Smithson

Replacements:
David Wilson
Matt Thompson
Luke Gross
Andy Buist
Ben Woods
Lee Dickson
Dave Walder

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