By T
September 29 2006

After having comprehensively put Newcastle to the sword last Sunday, Sarries will go up to Stockport full of confidence and, with last year’s win at Edgley Park, Saracens will have no fear of facing the title holders on their own patch. Having lost to Leicester in their first game of the season Sale have since bounced back with back to back victories against Northampton and Worcester. Without wishing to sound like a Sky Sports TV ad Sale are a wonderful side and have class acts in all positions there are some wonderful personal battles to watch out for on Friday evening.

While the rugby hacks will be desperate to see old Wigan buddies Robinson and Farrell go head to head, no doubt it’ll put a few more on the gate, but it would be a surprise to see the latter anywhere near the starting XV. As happy as I am to see him finally get on the pitch the team must be picked on form rather than reputation/size of salary cheque/media pressure and that is indeed the case with the back row staying as it was against the Falcons.

The England selectors will be keeping a very close eye on the openside battle where the Seymour vs Lund clash with their very contrasting but very effective styles. Having built that up, the real fireworks could well be going off on the other side of the scrum where the metaphorical unmovable object and the irresistible force of Chesney and White get reacquainted. The wonderfully named Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe takes the final place in the Sale back row, Sarries might be a little concerned if the Argentinean runs out with his full name across his shoulders!

The two front rows going head to head will be yet another fascinating battle. The Sarries front row, creaky against Wasps and Bristol yet so dominant against the powder-puff Falcons front row, will be tested again by the combination of Sheridan, Bruno and Stewart. The Visage vs Sheridan contest will be intriguing; brute force and power going up against the old warhorses technique. The match up in the second row is another interesting battle; Day and Jones are wonderful lineout jumpers but lack the ballast of the Raiwalui and Vyvyan at the coal face.

Out in the backs is there anyone who doesn’t want to see the leagues two form 10’s trade their entire repertoire of playmaking skills? Johnston will have a point to prove against young Chris Bell, a Scarborough against Robinson match up could also be worth the entrance alone.

There was a feeling that Saracens hadn’t quite clicked against Newcastle and the penalty count was still on the high side, but things seem to be coming together. Against Sale they’ll need everything to click if there is any hope in repeating last year’s result.

Saracens: 15 Dan Scarborough, 14 Rodd Penny, 13 Kevin Sorrell, 12 Ben Johnston, 11 Kameli Ratuvou, 10 Glen Jackson, 9 Alan Dickens, 1 Kevin Yates, 2 Matt Cairns, 3 Cobus Visagie, 4 Simon Raiwalui, 5 Hugh Vyvyan, 6 Kris Chesney, 7 David Seymour, 8 Ben Russell.

Subs: 16 Shane Byrne, 17 Ben Broster, 18 Tom Ryder, 19 Andy Farrell, 20 Paul Gustard, 21 Mosese Rauluni, 22 Tevita Vaikona.

Northern Feeder Club (Sale) : 15 Jason Robinson, 14 Mark Cueto, 13 Mark Taylor, 12 Chris Bell, 11 Ben Foden, 10 Charlie Hodgson, 9 Sililo Martens, 1 Andrew Sheridan, 2 Sebastian Bruno, 3 Barry Stewart, 4 Chris Jones, 5 Christian Day, 6 Jason White, 7 Magnus Lund, 8 Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe.

Subs : 16 Neil Briggs, 17 Stuart Turner, 18 David Tait, 19 Sebastian Chabal, 20 Richard Wigglesworth, 21 Daniel Larrachea, 22 Chris Mayor.

Ref : Wayne Barnes