Saracens v Sale Sharks, Aviva Premiership, November 6
Sarries out to put Sale in their place
ESPNscrum Staff
November 4, 2011
Saracens' John Smit raises a smile in training, Saracens training session, Old Albanians RFC, St Albans, England, November 2, 2011
Saracens have been strengthened by the arrival of former Springbok captain John Smit © Getty Images
Enlarge
Related Links
Tournaments/Tours: Aviva Premiership

That Harlequins could not be termed as runaway leaders of the Aviva Premiership is solely down to the fine form of reigning champions Saracens.

Mark McCall's men were upset by Wasps on the opening day of the new season and have since won six successive games to remain right on Quins' coat-tails. And Sarries will be confident of making it seven successive victories against a Sale side which was given a rude awakening by Leicester Tigers last weekend.

Sale remain third in the table after a surprisingly good start to the season but the way in which they were dismantled during the second half of a 34-13 defeat by last season's runners-up will have given Steve Diamond plenty of cause for concern. Indeed, the Sharks are unlikely to be looking forward to their trip to Vicarage Road given that they have won only once away from home since January.

Saracens - Player to Watch: USA Eagles winger Chris Wyles will be hoping to make a smooth transition back into club rugby after being handed his first start for Saracens since returning from World Cup duty.

Saracens - Team News: The champions make just two changes in total. Deon Carstens returns at loose-head prop and that sees Rhys Gill drop to the bench, while the aforementioned Wyles comes into the back-line in place of James Short. Adam Powell has been named among the replacements.

Sale Sharks - Player to Watch: With both Dwayne Peel and Scott Mathie ruled out through injury, the pressure is on Will Cliff to deliver a big performance at scrum-half for the Sharks.

Sale Sharks - Team News: As wall as the inclusion of Cliff at No.9, there are six other changes in personnel. In the backs, Will Addison replaces Tom Brady on the right wing. In the pack, Alasdair Dickinson and Tommy Taylor are recalled to the front-row, while James Gaskell will join Fraser McKenzie in the second-row. Gaskell's relocation creates space in the back-row for Andy Powell. Irish scrum-half Cillian Willis and Samoan international Tasesa Lavea have both been named on the bench.

Key Battle: David Seymour has been in fine form for Sale this year and has been tipped for an England call-up. We will see just how far he has come this weekend when he goes head-to-head with Sarries openside Jacques Burger, who underlined his status as one of the best flankers in the game today with a string of ferocious performances for minnows Namibia during the World Cup.

Trivia: Sale have only won once in 16 previous visits to Vicarage Road, the Sharks triumphing 40-32 in September of 2005

Stats: Sarries have won their last nine games in Watford

Quote Unquote:

"We have to do a lot better. We have got a run of big games. It was great to win on our away game but we talk about performance all the time and that was not one of our best."
- Sarries boss Mark McCall was less than impressed by his side's display at Gloucester last weekend

"In the end, it's all about our performance this weekend. If we get it right in our set-piece and defence then we stand a chance of getting something out of the game. They are one of the top super clubs in England right now and if you get anything from them away from home, then you are doing well."
- Sale boss Steve Diamond is well aware of the enormity of the task ahead of his side

Prediction: Saracens will have just too much power up front for Sale. Comfortable home win.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

Live Sports

Communication error please reload the page.