Quins are likely to make a number of changes to the team that lost against Northampton. Jason Leonard returns at Prop to take the place of the unlucky Bruce Starr who the Quins management think has been man of the match in the last two games. Ace Tiatia returns at Blindside Flanker with Andre Vos moving to Open Side and Luke Sherriff moving to the bench. At scrum half, Nick Duncombe should replace Scott Bemand and Will Greenwood replaces Alex Reay at inside centre. Bill Satala comes back from international duty with Fiji and will play instead of Rob Jewell.

Ever present Second Row Bill Davison spoke exclusively to Comeallwithin.co.uk this week. “We were very disappointed with the way we played against Northampton. We had trained well all week and identified a few weaknesses in their side. Unfortunately, you get matches where you play badly and this was the one. Hopefully the only one for the rest of the season.”

Bill has played in every match this season and has been singled out for praise by Head Coach Mark Evans. “I’m pretty proud of the way I’ve played this season. I’ve started every game which I didn’t do last season. Myself and Codders (Alex Codling) make quite a good team. He is excellent in the set piece, especially the line out and has great organisation skills. When he plays (and we missed him at the beginning of the season) he makes everyone else’s job a lot easier. Andre (Vos) is also a really good guy to have around. He’s come over with a lot of ambition. He’s a leader and he’s tough.”

I asked Bill how he enjoyed playing against his old club Saracens. “I’ve got fond memories of Sarries versus Quins matches when I played for Sarries. Playing against your old club certainly gives the match an extra edge. We play each other pretty soon after the first time we played them which happened last season and adds another edge. I enjoy playing against Kris Chesney. We’re mates and we used to compete for the same position at Sarries. When you talk about players to watch, you have to mention Richard Hill who is world class.”

Quins will be trying to make amends for a very poor first half performance against Saracens at Vicarage Road three weeks ago when they lost 36 – 30 after being 26 – 3 down after half an hour. Tries from Andre Vos, Nick Duncombe and two from Matt Moore saw Quins take a last minute lead but an injury time try from Andy Kershaw gave Saracens the win.

Saracens are likely to make a number of changes to the team that beat Newcastle 17 – 13 at home last week. Thomas Castaignede will return at Full Back for Winnan, Andy Goode may start at Fly Half as Tim Horan limped off after twelve minutes against Newcastle. Richard Hill is likely to start at Open side Flanker instead of Tony Roques.

In a press release this week, Saracens Prop Christian Califano said “We prepared well in the week before we played Newcastle. We all know that we must keep working harder and harder in training if we want to keep pace with the leading teams in the league. I think that our mentality is good and we’re all pulling together."

“Right now the internationals are back with us and this brings ‘oxygen’ to the club and we all look forward to heading down to the Stoop on Saturday. It's going to be tough but if we all stay focused on our jobs we can get the result we need."

A win is a win but to only beat a poor Newcastle side 17 –13 must be disappointing. Saracens miss Horan when he isn’t playing and his presence or absence may be crucial for the result of this game. Horan cut Quins apart in the match at Vicarage Road. Quins will welcome the return of Will Greenwood who organises the Backs defence. Nick Duncombe, if fit, will renew battle with Kyran Bracken. Duncombe did well to come out even against a resurgent Bracken three weeks ago. Johnston and Sorrell are solid in the centre for Saracens but lack that cutting edge. Saracens have a very pacy and exciting back three in Castaignede, Haughton and O’Mahoney. Andy Goode has been inconsistent this season and was benched for the beginning of last week. He has had very good days with his boot.

In the forwards, Flatman and Califano are a strong front row. Quinnell and Benazzi aren’t the quickest second row pairing in the Premier League and Quins will hope to steal some line out ball from them through the magpie like Codling (big beak as well). Richard Hill (if fit after his exertions for England) should add a lot to the Sarries back row and his battle against Vos will be one to watch. Hill should find Vos a bit less exuberant with his forearms and boot than the Quins back row forward’s South African colleagues.

The return of Greenwood will make a big difference to Quins. Supporters will be hoping that Satala’s time with the Fiji team has helped his pass and his defence. Quins will need to have worked on their physicality in the tackle area which was missing against Northampton. Quins suffered against the pick up and drive which the heavyweight Saracens pack will try to utilise. Quins pack is more mobile and they may try to give Sarries the run around.

Quins showed at Vicarage Road that they can score tries against Sarries. If Horan is absent and with Greenwood returning, Quins should have less trouble with Saracens offence. I pick Quins to win by less than a converted score.

NEC Harlequins (Probable): 15. Nathan Williams 14. Matt Moore 13. Bill Satala 12. Will Greenwood 11. Ben Gollings 10. Paul Burke 9. Nick Duncombe 1. Jason Leonard 2. Tani Fuga 3. Laurent Gomez 4. Bill Davison 5. Alex Codling 6. Ace Tiatia 7. Andre Vos 8. Tony Diprose

Saracens (Possible): 15. Thomas Castaignede, 14.Richard Haughton, 13. Kevin Sorrell, 12. Ben Johnston, 11.Darragh O'Mahony, 10. Andy Goode, 9. Kyran Bracken, 1. David Flatman, 2. Matt Cairns, 3. Christian Califano, 4. Craig Quinnell, 5. Abdel Benazzi , 6. Kris Chesney, 7. Tony Roques, 8. Ben Russell

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