Anglo-Welsh Cup
Bristol v Saracens
Scrum.com
October 29, 2008
Saracens skipper Andy Farrell will be hoping for another win in the Anglo-Welsh Cup
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Glen Jackson, Hugh Vyvyan and Michael Owen return to the Saracens starting line-up for Saturday's clash. All three were rested in the 33-19 win over Northampton Saints last weekend but the trio are back in the side for the final Pool D match at the Memorial Stadium. Tom Ryder and Rodd Penney also come into the starting team after being on the bench against Northampton. England U20s trio Alex Goode, Noah Cato and Andy Saull retain their places in the starting team while the return of Welsh international Owen at No.8 sees Ben Skirving switch to the blindside flank. Sarries also welcomed a trio of new faces to the squad this week with the arrival of NSW Waratahs centre Ben Jacobs, Sharks centre Bradley Barritt and the Blue Bulls back row and South African World Cup winner Wikus Van Heerden - but it was too early for the trio to be considered for Saturday's game. Last weekend's win over Northampton Saints means Saracens can still qualify for the semi-finals of the competition, but Director of Rugby Eddie Jones insists his team's focus will be on getting the result first. "We'll find out what the scenarios are at the end of the game," said Jones. "The most important things for us is to put in another good performance and keep the momentum building. We lost the opening two games of the season but since then, we've won six out of seven and we want to keep that going as we enter a break in the season. "We've already won at Bristol this season so there is no reason why we cannot do it again. We will go there to get the result and concentrate on our own performance. That is our primary focus and if we do that, what happens elsewhere will take care of itself." After fielding a youthful side in the previous round, Bristol Rugby Head Coach Richard Hill has opted for a more experienced looking line up for the visit of Saracens. The defeat at Stradey Park has left Bristol unable to progress from the group stages although Saracens are still in a position to qualify for the semis. But Bristol are looking for a victory to give them momentum ahead of the return to Guinness Premiership action in two weeks time as Hill explained when he named his side. "We're looking to build on the last three home performances. The other three teams in the group can still qualify mathematically but it's still a massive game for us." "We've had a fairly strong team out at home against Sale, Saracens and then Toulon and have got better and better progressively. To get back to back wins is massively important and will help us build towards the next Guinness Premiership game on the 16th." "We've had a fairly settled side of late but we have David Lemi back from injury which is a boost. Darren Crompton has proved his fitness and the last piece in the jigsaw will be Shaun Perry. Sarries will be a stiff challenge and that's what we need. We need a stern test before we go back into the Guinness Premiership and I imagine Saracens will come with a strong team and provide that test." "The last meeting was a superb game but we need to improve on that and get a win." Bristol have won just one of their last 15 games in all competitions: 39-11 at home to Toulon in the European Challenge Cup on 17 October. Bristol are unbeaten in their last three home matches in the Anglo-Welsh Cup. Saracens have won six of their last seven games in all competitions. Sarries have won back to back away games including the 23-16 victory when they visited Memorial Stadium in the Premiership on 1 October. Saracens have only ever won one away game in the Anglo-Welsh Cup: 46-28 at Leeds on 26 October 2007. Bristol's only victory in their last six encounters with Saracens was 18-3 at Memorial Stadium in the Guinness Premiership on 6 January 2008. Possible Anglo-Welsh Cup Permutations * Scarlets must avoid defeat to progress to the last four. * A Saints win would be enough for a Northampton semi-final appearance provided Saracens do not also win. * A three-way tie on nine points would see Scarlets through courtesy of the bonus point they require in a loss at Franklin's Gardens. * Bristol cannot make it to the semi-finals. Bristol: Vunga Lilo; Tom Arscott, Neil Brew, Luke Eves, David Lemi; Adrian Jarvis, Graeme Beveridge; Alex Clarke, Mark Regan, Jason Hobson; Roy Winters, Nathan Budgett; Matt Salter, Joe El Abd (capt), Dan Ward-Smith Replacements: Scott Linklater, Darren Crompton, Robert Sidoli, Redford Pennycook, Haydn Thomas, Chris Ashwin, Mat Turner Saracens: Alex Goode, Rodd Penney, Adam Powell, Andy Farrell, Noah Cato, Glen Jackson, Moses Rauluni, Nick Lloyd, Matt Cairns, Cobus Visagie, Tom Ryder, Hugh Vyvyan, Ben Skirving, Andy Saull, Michael Owen Replacements: Alex Walker, Tom Mercey, Kris Chesney, Don Barrell, Mickey Wilson, Kevin Sorrell, Edd Thrower © Scrum.com
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