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Saracens name team for Ealing Trailfinders revenge mission
By Ian Cameron
Saracens have named their team ahead of their home fixture against Ealing Trailfinders which is due to kick-off at the StoneX Stadium at 1 pm on Saturday.
Saracens lost the first fixing 27 - 26 at Ealing in January and will be eager to even up the rivalry when they host their local rivals at home in the second leg of the Trailfinders Challenge Cup.
Michael Rhodes will earn his 100th cap for Sarries, with the big South African named at blindside. Richard Barrington and Springbok Vincent Koch also return to action in a pack that includes rising stars Joel Kpoku and Sean Reffell.
Academy back row Toby Knight could be set to make his competitive senior debut after being named on the bench, while Harry Sloan (26), who is named in the centre alongside Dom Morris, will take on his former club.
Saracens also have firepower to draw on from the sidelines, with internationals Eroni Mawi, Will Hooley and Duncan Taylor ready to be deployed.
Meanwhile Ealing have named a strong side for the fixture, with the likes of Bobby de Wee and Alun Walker set to star once against for the Championship side.
“We’re pleased with where we are at the moment after the first couple of rounds but we have a massive test this weekend which we can’t wait for," said Ealing Director of Rugby Dave Ward. "We’ve spoken a lot about how much respect we have for Saracens and what they have achieved, so it’s another chance for us to test ourselves against some of the best players in the country but this time at their place.”
SARACENS TEAM:
15 Elliott Obatoyinbo
14 Ben Harris
13 Dom Morris
12 Harry Sloan
11 Rotimi Segun
10 Tom Whiteley
9 Aled Davies
1 Richard Barrington
2 Tom Woolstencroft (CAPTAIN)
3 Vincent Koch
4 Joel Kpoku
5 Callum Hunter-Hill
6 Mike Rhodes
7 Sean Reffell
8 Janco Venter
Replacements: 16 Kapeli Pifeleti, 17 Eroni Mawi, 18 Alec Clarey, 19 Ollie Stonham, 20 Toby Knight, 21 Alex Day, 22 Will Hooley, 23 Duncan Taylor
EALING TEAM:
15 David Johnston
14 Luke Daniels
13 Fraser Strachan
12 Pat Howard
11 Dean Hammond
10 Craig Willis
9 Craig Hampson
1 Will Davis
2 Alun Walker
3 Kyle Whyte
4 Bobby de Wee
5 James Cannon
6 Kieran Murphy
7 Adam Korczyk
8 Rayn Smid (CAPTAIN)
Replacements: 16 Shaun Malton 17 George Davis 18 Harry Seward 19 Shane Buckley 20 Guy Thompson 21 Jordan Burns 22 Steven Shingler 23 Jack Tovey
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Latest Comments
I think Italy were always targetting this match and intended to win. They needed to exorcise the 2023 RWC. I think they could have done with a bit more help from other 6Ns particularly from Ireland to knock more holes in NZ and their confidence.
Mentioned before the Italy Argentina match was a virus that ripped through the Italy camp early that week. In general play Italy were competitive albeit with a high error count and crucial missed tackles.
Ive said it before the era of NZ turning up unprepared for all comers and triumphing is definitively over. If a Tier1 team target NZ and NZ do not prepare accordingly they are in with a major chance of losing. It used to occur the odd time in RWCs against France, now it can occur v any Tier1. The competition has improved. NZ can still be at the top but their talents must be deployed sufficiently into dismantling teams as with their attack then allowed to exploit.
They dismantled Ireland pretty well in Dublin which went largely unnoticed. That allowed them scoreboard advantage and attacking opportunities of which one was enough.
That Italian team beat Wales and significantly Scotland last year. They used the loss to NZ in the most positive way possible. No doubt NZ prepared but I would assume it was similar to versus Argentina: 3/4 arsed at best. These test matches are rare and this was another chance to practice dismantling a determined and prepared opponent which was lost. If Italy had scored a 7 pointer at 17-6....an Italian win was on.
Go to commentsGB = England, Scotland, Wales. UK = England, Wales, Scotland, NI
Nothing to stew son.
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