Preview: Saracens v Northampton
September 11 2009
Saracens have named an unchanged starting line-up for their clash with Northampton at Wembley Stadium.
Director of Rugby Brendan Venter has selected the same side that beat London Irish 18-14 at Twickenham last weekend and with a crowd of more than 35,000 expected for the big Wembley clash, it will mean more than 100,000 fans have watched Sarries opening two league fixtures.
"It's an absolute privilege to be playing at Wembley Stadium," explained Venter.
"It's an amazing venue and it will be a fantastic day out. Not only will there be a great game of rugby, but also fantastic entertainment and all at an amazing price, people really should get along for a great day out.
"I was pleased with the courage and determination of the players last week and we played very well in the first half. We need to improve on that this week but everyone is really looking forward to this fantastic occasion."
Meanwhile, Northampton Director of Rugby is refusing to let the occasion of playing at Wembley distract his side from the matter in hand, recording successive Guinness Premiership wins.
"It's not really come into our thinking," he said.
"It is a home game for Saracens and therefore a usual away game for us and we have prepared in the same way as usual. I know we will have a decent support at Wembley though and I'm sure the fans are looking forward to the experience."
Saints will be without their goal-kicker Stephen Myler for the trip south however, as the fly-half misses out due to an ankle injury. Shane Geraghty will subsequently shift in one position while James Downey starts at centre.
"It is a different season and a different game," he said.
"Saracens will be organised, disciplined and very difficult to beat. However if we want to improve as a team and move up the league table we know we have to start picking up points away from home.
"We were happy with the win over Worcester but not the performance and everyone has put a considerable amount of time in this week to try and improve ahead of tomorrow's match."
Form: Saracens' 18-14 victory over London Irish ended a three game losing run in all competitions. Saracens make Wembley Stadium their fifth different home venue for a Premiership match following Vicarage Road, Twickenham, Franklin's Gardens and stadiummk, whilst the famous ground becomes the 28th different venue to stage Premiership rugby. Northampton Saints have won six of their last seven matches in all competitions since March, but have lost three of their last four away encounters. Both Saracens and Northampton have not begun a Premiership season with a brace of successive wins since season 2004/05. The Saints beat Sarries twice last season, both at Franklin's Gardens: 20-15 in the Guinness Premiership and 16-13 in the semi-final of the European Challenge Cup.
The teams:
Saracens: 15 Alex Goode 14 Noah Cato, 13 Kameli Ratuvou 12 Brad Barritt, 11 Chris Wyles 10 Glen Jackson, 9 Neil de Kock, 8 Ernst Joubert, 7 Andy Saull, 6 Wikus van Heerden, 5 Hugh Vyvyan, 4 Steve Borthwick, 3 Carlos Nieto, 2 Schalk Brits, 1 Rhys Gill.
Replacements: 16 Fabio Ongaro, 17 Tom Mercey, 18 Richard Skuse 19 Mauritz Botha, 20 Michael Owen, 21 Justin Marshall 22 Derick Hougaard, 23 Richard Haughton.
Northampton: 15 Ben Foden, 14 Paul Diggin, 13 Jon Clarke, 12 James Downey, 11 Bruce Reihana, 10 Shane Geraghty, 9 Lee Dickson, 8 Roger Wilson, 7 Scott Gray, 6 Phil Dowson, 5 Juandre Kruger, 4 Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe, 3 Santiago Bonorino, 2 Dylan Hartley (capt), 1 Soane Tonga'uiha.
Replacements: 16 Brett Sharman, 17 Regardt Dreyer, 18 Brian Mujati, 19 Courtney Lawes, 20 Neil Best, 21 Alan Dickens, 22 Barry Everitt, 23 Chris Mayor.
Date: Saturday, September 12
Kick-off: 14:45 BST
Venue: Wembley
Referee: Andrew Small
