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NEW WEEKEND, NEWCASTLE


By Behind the Bench
November 9 2016

Saracens have a second helping of Anglo Welsh Cup action after a stirring game at Kingsholm saw them uncharacteristically surrender a 20 point lead and lose in the closing minutes, but collecting a try and losing bonus point. If this competition is as much about developing players as winning matches, then the silver lining is that the players on duty will learn how to close out games, but with a couple of points in the bag, Sarries remain very much in the tournament as they host a Falcons side who were beaten in their opening encounter at home to Northampton Saints.  

Fortunately for Saracens, unlike in 2014 when Newcastle last visited in this tournament, they aren't double heading this match with a visit from a SuperRugby side, as even the vaunted strength in depth would be challenged given international call ups and injuries. There were six debutants last week, so the disappointing finish is perhaps understandable, although the Cherry and Whites had eight players on the full debut. For all that, there were plenty of positives, in particular, Tom Griffiths, on his Saracens first team debut against his home town club helping himself to a brace of well-worked tries, and a sparkling first half display from "veteran" scrum half Ben Spencer which featured an opportunistic try: it was fair to say he was missed after the break. Fly half Tom Whiteley appeared to have halted the home comeback with a well-worked try, but Saracens found themselves caught out by some incisive passing and sharp finishing by the home side in the second half - in short, they will look to maintain the customary defensive control for the whole of the match this Saturday.
 
Newcastle Falcons have a fairly modest record in this tournament of late, with the exception of 2011 when they reached the Franklins Gardens final only to be beaten 34-7 by Gloucester. 
They lost 41-8 in this competition at Allianz Park in January 2014 having already lost 40-3 in the Premiership in NW4 the previous November. However, in February 2015, a stirring display by the Falcons saw them outscore the hosts three tries to one, but with only a losing bonus point to show for it as they were defeated 22-17. Last season was almost as tight, as Saracens prevailed 23-14 in the last regular home match of the season. With results between the sides getting closer in North London, the North East side have the distinct advantage of being the first Premiership side to follow Saracens' lead and install an artificial surface, backed up by a more attacking style of play. Form in the Premiership has been solid so far, with 14 points from seven matches putting them in a respectable 9th place. Defensively, with the exception of a few horror shows on the road, they have improved, with a number of tight wins secured, including on the opening night, when they edged out Sale Sharks 19-17 at Kingston Park before being humbled 58-5 at Bath. Nudged out by a single point, 14-13 at home to Leicester Tigers, they responded with a rare 18-13 success at Gloucester to claim a first away win in two years, though they had to be content with a losing bonus point in a 11-9 reverse at Worcester Warriors. They did, however, come back with a vital 19-14 home win over Bristol, ahead of a pair of wildly contrasting results in the European Challenge Cup as a 45-0 demolition at Ospreys was corrected by a 50-7 home win over Grenoble, ahead of a 31-6 reverse to Wasps.
 
Their opening Anglo Welsh game saw them field a line up which was relatively strong compared to that of many other sides with seven of the starting XV in the 24-16 loss to Northampton also began in the harsh loss to Wasps at Coventry; the retained players being loosehead Sam Lockwood, hooker Ben Sowrey, number 8 Callum Chick, scrum half Micky Young, fly half Mike Delany, and the wing duo of Sinoti Sinoti and Marcus Watson. Players coming into the side were full back Alex Tait, who captained the side and a new centre partnership of Fred Burdon and Craig Willis, whilst in the forwards, David Wilson came in at tighthead, and there was a new second row duo of Will Witty and Andrew Davidson, whilst Ally Hogg and Tyrone Holmes slotted into the back row. Given the still substantial number of unfamiliar faces, it's again hard to gauge how this game may go. Newcastle try and play an attacking game, but, as in the heavy defeat at Wasps, their execution has often let them down, although the crafty kicking game of fly half Mike Delany caused some anxious moments for the Saints even if they didn't make the most of the territory it afforded, as they were restricted to a single try by Tait.
 
In their starting line ups, both sides would seem likely to opt for relative continuity. That would see Andrew Fenby retained at full back for Saracens, with Mike Ellery on the right wing, and the centre partnership of Nick Tompkins and Griffiths being retained, although Nathan Earle may start on the left wing. Whiteley and Spencer should reprise their half back roles. Forwards-wise. Richard Barrington should remain at loosehead, but Jared Saunders might start at hooker this time, with Vincent Koch remaining at tighthead, and a similar second row of Mark Flanagan and Nick Isiekwe. Joel Conlon, Kelly Brown and Samu Vunisa should form the back row again. As the Falcons look to build the momentum to take back into the Premiership, Tait should remain at full back, with Watson and Sinoti occupying the wings with Burdon at centre, possibly alongside the incoming Joel Hodgson, with Delany and Young staying at fly half and scrum half respectively. Into the back, and a shuffle of the front row could see Lockwood, Sowrey and Jon Welsh, with Witty and Davidson keeping their place at lock, and a back row consisting of Hogg, Holmes and Chick.

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NEW WEEKEND, NEWCASTLE
Discussion started by TheSaracens.com , 09/11/2016 21:35
TheSaracens.com
09/11/2016 21:35
Thanks Gerard, another excellent preview



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2016:11:21:19:46:04 by Darraghgirl.

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