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'The boys have had a positive attitude': Ambushed Saracens name XV for their second Championship match
By Sam Smith
Saracens have reacted to their disastrous baptism in the Championship by making just one change to their starting XV following the opening round defeat to Cornish Pirates, the place of Scotland pick Sean Maitland going to Rotimi Segun.
Scottish winger Maitland - who now faces Ireland in the Guinness Six Nations this Sunday - was in the Saracens team that suffered the 25-17 second-tier loss which made headlines around the rugby world as it was thought that the 2019 Gallagher Premiership and Heineken Cup champions would have it easy in making their way back to the top flight.
It was January 2020 when Saracens were told they would be automatically relegated for repeated salary cap breaches and the Championship debut didn't go to plan, Mark McCall seeing a selection that contained seven internationals and 165 Test caps lose their way in their second half at Mennaye Field.
They will now look to rectify that damage at home to a Jersey side who had a bye in last weekend's opening round. With Segun promoted to the starting XV in place of the unavailable Maitland, USA Test player Will Hooley comes onto the bench along with Josh Ibuanokpe as sub tighthead Alec Clarey has been ruled out for the fixture against his old club.
Asked how Saracens have responded to their round one ambush, full-back Elliott Obatoyinbo told his club's website: “The message this week is we have been here before as a team. We know what to do and the boys have had a positive attitude which is what we need.
“We need to focus on our strengths and have a positive mindset and that will give us the best chance to get a positive result against Jersey. We need to do the simple things, first of all with our mentality. We have got to be there and we need to be physical. If we get that right all the other things will fall into place nicely after that.”
SARACENS (vs Jersey, Saturday)
15 Elliott Obatoyinbo
14 Alex Lewington
13 Duncan Taylor
12 Juan Pablo Socino
11 Rotimi Segun
10 Manu Vunipola
9 Aled Davies
1 Richard Barrington
2 Kapeli Pifeleti
3 Vincent Koch
4 Callum Hunter-Hill
5 Tim Swinson
6 Mike Rhodes
7 Sean Reffell
8 Jackson Wray (capt)
Replacements
16 Sam Crean
17 Eroni Mawi
18 Josh Ibuanokpe
19 Joel Kpoku
20 Andy Christie
21 Tom Whiteley
22 Dom Morris
23 Will Hooley
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Latest Comments
He doesn't generally do it at all, for anybody, so don't say too much the next one could be just as positive about the Springboks if you don't get carried away!
He also pointed out the "no killer instinct" narrative that they simply weren't good enough. Do yo disagree that SA were that great against NZ?
Readying the article I didn't even see that as a dig towards SA SF, simply an exciting take on how close the ABs really are again to those at the top. I feel it is more you that is taking away from this enjoyment with you replay that is largely based on a lot of old resentment.
Just enjoy how good the rugby is and that NZ is back baby!
Go to commentsAttack coach? What "attack"? All I saw was headless chooks pinballing around the paddock. This whole coaching group needs a shake-down. The BFs have regressed at pace since the Prof & Cronnie days.
We have immense talent, some of the best in world rugby, but it's wasted on this coaching group. I put Bunting in the same loser category as Penney & Foster. At this point in time, success at RWC2025 seems a longshot!?!
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