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New era begins at Saracens with 3 academy players set for first Premiership starts
By Online Editors
The end of an era feeling surrounding Saracens following their Champions Cup semi-final defeat last Saturday has continued with their all-changed XV that will face Worcester in the Gallagher Premiership on Wednesday night. The Londoners agonisingly relinquished the grip on their European title, succumbing to a late Racing 92 try in Paris last weekend and falling short in their attempt to win a fourth title in five seasons.
With the club now having just two Premiership matches remaining before they slip into the Championship following their automatic relegation for repeated salary breaches, Saracens coach Mark McCall acknowledged a change of the guard was now afoot with the likes of veterans Brad Barritt and Richard Wigglesworth the latest set to leave.
This change-up is reflected in the XV chosen for Sixways - seven of the Saracens starters have played seven or fewer times for the club, a description that also applies to five of their bench.
The hat tip towards their Championship future is encapsulated in their selection of openside Ollie Stonham for a first-ever start. The senior academy back row has one senior cap to his name after making an appearance in the Premiership Cup earlier this season.
Fellow academy teammates Charlie Watson and Cameron Boon will also make their maiden league starts. Centre Watson scored on his Sarries debut in September 2019 while lock Boon burrowed home during the recent win over Exeter Chiefs. On the bench, academy duo Jon Kpoku and Ethan Benson are in line for their Premiership debuts.
SARACENS (vs Worcester, Wednesday): 15. Will Hooley (3 Sarries appearances); 14. Rotimi Segun (33), 13. Charlie Watson (4), 12. Juan Pablo Socino (6), 11. Ali Crossdale (13); 10. Manu Vunipola (28), 9. Tom Whiteley (48); 1. Richard Barrington (194), 2. Tom Woolstencroft (42), 3. Alec Clarey (7), 4. Joel Kpoku (35), 5. Cameron Boon (3), 6. Callum Hunter-Hill (23), 7. Ollie Stonham (1), 8. Janco Venter (3). Reps: 16. Sam Crean (12), 17. Robin Hislop (2), 18. Josh Ibuanokpe (16), 19. Jon Kpoku (2), 20. Ethan Benson (0), 21. Alex Day (6), 22. Harry Sloan (3), 23. Elliott Obatoyinbo (15).
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Latest Comments
The way Ratima has been treated he needs to look OS. Same with Perofeta and Love, Hothem too. Razor is a token coach. Gives debuts but very few mins. Also DM too. Just go earn millions elsewhere DM as all you get in NZ is bagging.
BB is coaches favourite and I say let him have BB right thru to the next 2 or maybe even 3 World cups.😁😁 Have JB outside him at 12...That just works so well.
Go to commentsIt certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
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