By Jonjo
January 26 2007

What is “The Irish Question” and do we know the answer? London Irish are a bit of a frustrating team to play, because they seem to be able to win against Sarries even when they are losing to everyone else, and when we are winning against apparently better sides. So anyone planning to place a big wager on Saracens to win this weekend does so despite the history of the games between us over the last few years.

Although they have lost their last three games, these have been against Llanelli away (20 – 16), Toulouse (24 – 26) and Gloucester (15 – 3) and before that they beat Leicester (26 – 25), so it can’t be said that they are a going badly. All these opponents are capable of very big performances. This Sunday they are presumably without Geraghty, who is on international duty next weekend (we are without Farrell for the same reason), but they still have a talented line-up.

Their style of play relies on a decent scrum, a crack line-out and a fast back three, with a big emphasis on counter-attacking play from anywhere on the field. Should any additional zest be needed, Steffon Armitage left Saracens after a very public row at the end of last season, and his brother Delon (twice the height but half the weight) seems to end up in a confrontation every other week.

Careless kicking will not work well and a loose kick that misses touch is likely to bring a devastating counter unless chased vigorously. Good organisation in defence and a strong attack are the keys, with the scrum at its best, both in the tight five and the back row. Saracens have picked a side that can certainly match the firepower in the scrum and behind it, but they need to play with cool heads and not let themselves get rattled or rushed, or they will find at least 15 Irishmen (well, honorary Irishmen in some cases) all over, round and through them.

Irish have announced a very strong team, with the experience of Mike Catt (allowed out by the England squad, so possibly not expected to feature against Scotland) as Captain at inside centre, outside Riki Flutey (who recently announced his intention to leave LI and head to Wasps at the end of the season). With Delon Armitage, Ojo and Tagicakibau as a very rapid back 3 they have pace to burn, and they have chosen a formidable pack

Sarries have picked a side that can scrummage powerfully, should have a decent line-out (I always like to see either Fullerton or Ryder in the second row to organise the tactics), a very strong back row and should also be pretty sharp behind the scrum. With the likes of Ongaro, Cencus Johnston (Fish’s spelling), Vyvyan and Seymour on the bench, as well as former Not-Not Rodd Penney, we have power and speed to add (I am not sure if MTC is fit enough to play a major part, but if he is, he rarely fails to have an impact).

Saracens to win by 3

Saracens
1 Kevin Yates, 2 Matt Cairns, 3 Cobus Visagie, 4 Iain Fullarton, 5 Simon Raiwalui, 6 Kris Chesney, 7 Richard Hill, 8 Ben Skirving, 9 Neil de Kock, 10 Glen Jackson, 11 Kameli Ratuvou, 12 Adam Powell, 13 Kevin Sorrell, 14 Richard Haughton, 15 Dan Scarbrough

Replacements
16 Fabio Ongaro, 17 Cencus Johnston, 18 Hugh Vyvyan 19 David Seymour, 20 Alan Dickens, 21 Rodd Penney, 22 Thomas Castaignede

London Irish
15. Delon Armitage; 14. Topsy Ojo; 13. Seilala Mapusua*; 12. Mike Catt* (captain); 11. Sailosi Tagicakibau*; 10. Riki Flutey; 9. Paul Hodgson; 1. Neal Hatley; 2. Danie Coetzee*, 3. Faan Rautenbach*; 4. Nick Kennedy; 5. Bob Casey*; 6. Kieran Roche; 7. Steffon Armitage; 8. Juan Leguizamon*.

Replacements
16. Tonga Lea'aetoa*; 17. Robbie Russell; 18. James Hudson; 19. Phil Murphy*; 20.Justin Bishop*; 21. Ben Willis; 22. Nils Mordt.

Referee
Dave Pearson