By Jason Harris
May 9 2003

Saracens go into their final Zurich Premiership game against Sale Sharks on Saturday knowing that one point will guarantee their status in rugby's top flight. But they also know that a win might put them in the Wildcard Playoffs, which could ultimately lead to a place in next year's Heineken Cup. All week the Sarries camp have said that they will be going for four, maybe five points in this game rather than the soliatry one needed for survival. Though destiny as far as Zurich participation next season goes is in their own hands, Sarries will need to win and for one or both of Newcastle and Harlequins to draw a blank at Bath and Wasps respectively to go on to the post-season mayhem.

Saracens have shown in their last two games against Bristol and Newcastle that they have resiliance and tenacity, two commodites that were conspicuous by their absence last season, and as a result they have taken five precious points when they might have ended up with none at all.

Sale, whose brand of running rugby has won many admirers this season, are in a bit of a rut and have not won a league game since beating Leeds at Heywood Road in March.

Though they drew at home 30-all with Glocuester in a classic encounter, the Sharks have been beaten by Leicester and Northampton away and by Wasps at home and their position as near-certainties for the Zurich Championship playoffs has changed to the extent that they could well miss out altogether if they lose and there is a positive result between Northampton and Leeds.

Saracens name an unchanged squad and just two swaps in the starting lineup (Craig Yandell in for Stuart Hooper at lock and Matt Cairns for Robbie Russell at hooker) from the one announced to play at Newcastle. Thomas Castaignede is included again, even though he withdrew from the Kingston Park game and handed his place on the bench to Adryan Winnan. The Frenchman's fitness is still open to question and we may see Winnan wearing the no22 shirt once more on Saturday.

Sale are without Vaughan Going who caused Saracens no end of problems in the reverse fixture at Heywood Road, but their high-scoring wing pairing Steve Hanley and Mark Cueto make the trip.

The pundits and the bookies are divided in their opinions of which side will win. It will come down to sheer hard work rather than flair and panache. Looking at the jaded nature of the Sale pack against Wasps in their last outing and the hunger in the eyes of the Sarries forwards, I think that the home eight could come out on top if they continue in a similar fashion.

Behind the scrum, providing Saracens can keep the likes of Jason Robinson & co. in check, they too have the capability of scoring points.

The Wildcard playoffs will come hot on the heels of this delicately-poised last weekend. My advice to Sarries fans is go get that replica shirt washed, dried and ironed in time for Wednesday as, just maybe, you'll have further use for it before putting it away for the summer.