By Jason Harris
March 14 2003

Saracens take on local rivals London Wasps at Vicarage Road on Sunday knowing that a first league win in 2003 will be vital in their battle to avoid relegation to National League One. Wasps meanwhile continue their push towards the Zurich Championship playoffs and will be looking to extend their unbeaten run going back to 4 January.

The omens don't look good for Sarries. With just four wins in 20 league encounters with the other side calling themselves the Men in Black and a half century of points shipped at Adams Park last September, Wasps are red-hot favourites to take the points.

Saracens head coach Wayne Shelford has made seven changes to the starting line-up after his side bombed at the Rec, going down 30-9 to then bottom side Bath, two in the forwards and, more interestingly, five in the backs.

Thomas Castaignede is the man entrusted with the no10 shirt this week and three of its former custodians are in the squad. Tim Horan is a surprise selection at fullback as is Niki Little at inside centre and Andy Goode misses out, having to be content with a place on the bench.

When the two sides last met Saracens folded as their dominant opponents steamrollered their way to an easy 51-23 victory. Such was the calamitous nature of Sarries' play that afternoon Wasps found it almost embarrassingly easy to pierce the flimsy opposition defence almost at will and the Men in Black will be hell-bent on avoiding any repeat humilation.

There are a number of key match-ups on Sunday, starting with the front row duel between Christian Califano and Craig Dowd who this week gave Wasps a boost by signing a new two-year contract, taking a pay cut into the bargain. The back row battle is another that will be of interest to many. Richard Hill, and Kris Chesney will pit their wits against Hill's England team mates Lawrence Dallaglio and Joe Worsley so see who will have supremacy in the loose.

Probably the biggest individual tussle will be between international scrum halves Kyran Bracken and Rob Howley. The two-time Lion sat out his side's Adams Park demolition job, giving Martyn Wood an armchair ride behind a dominant Wasps pack. As Wasps look to consolidate their third place and its associated play-off spot, I expect Wales' most-capped no9 to start opposite the Saracens captain. It's a mouthwatering prospect.

Alex King is renowned for his consistency and steady guiding hand at outside half and this is in contrast to Sarries who, as mentioned earlier, are still experimenting with this most key position. The mercurial Castaignede could provide the Wasps midfield with a few problems, but it is still uncertain which player Shelford favours to orchestrate the midfield. Only time will tell whether this latest and most radical move of moving Horan to fullback and Little to centre - partnered by England A regular Ben Johnston - will prove fruitful.

Along with Sale trio Robinson, Hanley and Cueto, the Wasps back three are probably the most dangerous in the league. Josh Lewsey proved in England's win over Italy last week that he is a strong candidate for inclusion in Clive Woodward's World Cup plans. The former Army officer is more than ably supported by fellow flyers Kenny Logan and ex-Sarries Academy player John Rudd. Messrs. Horan, Haughton and O'Mahony will have a busy afternoon should the Wasps wide men get the possession they had last time out.

Add to the already long list of top playing talent the likes of Mark van Gisbergen, Stuart Abbott, Fraser Waters, Phil Greening and cult hero Trevor Leota and the Wasps squad looks very formidable indeed.

Wayne Shelford said this week that if Saracens can do the basics right - make their passes, tackles and win their set-piece ball, they could spring a surprise and win the game.

Historically, Wasps have got Saracens taped. The biggest winning margin for Wasps in previous league games is the 29 points' difference earlier this term. Sarrries, by way of contrast, have not beaten Wasps by more than six points in any game other than the 1998 Tetley's Cup final. And I think that the record is in no danger of being broken. Wasps to win.