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Rivalry on ice as Saracens and Exeter name understrength teams for Sunday

11 Sep 2020

(Photo by David Davies/PA Images via Getty Images)

Anyone who was expecting Allianz Park fireworks this Sunday between some of the biggest names of the Gallagher Premiership had better think again as leaders Exeter and relegated Saracens have wrapped up their stars with a view to the following weekend’s Champions Cup quarter-final assignments.

European champions Saracens are due in Dublin on September 19 looking to defeat Leinster, the side they beat in the 2019 final, while Exeter will host English league rivals Northampton in their quarter-final the following day at Sandy Park.

With the emphasis on those knockout cup fixtures, there will be no repeat of the fizz that was the 2019 Gallagher Premiership final won by Saracens at Twickenham nor any of the must-watch action from last December when Chiefs beat the Londoners in a top-notch league encounter in Devon.

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Instead, Sunday’s renewal between the clubs will be all about the understudies. Janco Venter, a summer signing from Jersey, will make his first Saracens start after two appearances off the bench.

He features in the back row alongside Sean Reffell and captain Calum Clark while centre Harry Sloan comes in for his maiden opportunity in a starting jersey, joining Dom Morris in the midfield. On the bench, senior academy back Josh Hallett could make his senior debut for a club looking to bounce back after Wednesday’s loss to Sale.

'Dr Dimes' has an extraordinary take on his star lock's latest injury https://t.co/NqQgtGMXX8
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 11, 2020

Having seen his side guarantee a fifth successive play-off place, Rob Baxter’s Chiefs need just a solitary point to ensure they will have home advantage in the semi-finals and they will try to secure it with a completely different starting XV from the midweek win over Gloucester.

Don Armand skippers the side from No8 and will be joined in the pack by England U20 Alfie Petch, who is set to make his first-ever Premiership start. Behind them, Argentinian winger Facundo Cordero, centre Tom Wyatt and half-backs Joe Snow and Harvey Skinner, also get their maiden starts, teaming up in a back division which also includes the evergreen Phil Dollman at full-back.

On the bench, University of Exeter alumni Matt Johnson, Will Yarnell and Luke Mehson all get their first call-ups into a Premiership squad, as does Aussie playmaker Jack Walsh, prop James Kenny and back-row forward Aaron Hinkley.

SARACENS: 15. Will Hooley; 14. Rotimi Segun (32), 13. Dom Morris, 12. Harry Sloan, 11. Elliott Obatoyinbo; 10. Manu Vunipola, 9. Tom Whiteley; 1. Sam Crean, 2. Kapeli Pifeleti, 3. Alec Clarey, 4. Joel Kpoku, 5. Callum Hunter-Hill, 6. Calum Clark, 7. Sean Reffell, 8. Janco Venter. Reps: 16. Tom Woolstencroft, 17. Robin Hislop, 18. Josh Ibuanokpe, 19. Cameron Boon, 20. Andy Christie, 21. Alex Day, 22. Juan Pablo Socino, 23. Josh Hallett.

EXETER: 15. Phil Dollman; 14. Josh Hodge, 13. Corey Baldwin, 12. Tom Wyatt, 11. Facundo Cordero; 10. Harvey Skinner, 9. Joe Snow; 1. Billy Keast, 2. Jack Innard, 3. Alfie Petch, 4. Will Witty, 5. Tom Price, 6. Sean Lonsdale, 7. Richard Capstick, 8. Don Armand (capt). Reps: 16. Jordon Poole, 17. James Kenny, 18. Matt Johnson, 19. Dave Dennis, 20. Aaron Hinkley, 21. Will Yarnell, 22. Jack Walsh, 23. Luke Mehson.

Baby Rhino was Tigers' fifth different captain in their six post-lockdown games https://t.co/GAJvHAfsCc
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 11, 2020

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 4 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 4 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 4 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 4 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 4 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 4 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍