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Preview: Saracens v Harlequins

Wednesday 03rd September 2008

Opening day captains: Steve Borthwick and Will Skinner

Saracens begin their 2008/09 Guinness Premiership campaign against Harlequins at Twickenham on Saturday and Director of Rugby Eddie Jones has handed full debuts to Steve Borthwick and Michael Owen for the clash.

The two new summer signings have both been selected in the starting XV in what promises to be a fantastic festival of rugby at the London Double Header with Saracens playing Harlequins and London Irish taking on Wasps.

England captain Borthwick will lead Saracens from the second row where he is partnered by Hugh Vyvyan. The back row is made up of Chris Jack, Dave Seymour and Welsh international Owen at number eight.

In the back-line, there is a familiar look about the half-back pairing of Neil de Kock and Glen Jackson while Dan Scarbrough, Francisco Leonelli and Kameli Ratuvou are given the nod in the back three. Richard Haughton (hip-flexor) and Brent Russell (shoulder) both miss out, although could return to action next week.

Jones, in his first Premiership match in charge of Saracens since 2006, and since re-joining the club after success with South Africa at the 2007 Rugby World Cup, says selection was difficult.

"We faced some tough selection choices following all the hard work the players have put in over pre-season," explained Jones.

"We've watched Quins a few times in pre-season and traditionally they have been a side that likes to play off opposition ball and that is something we will have to concentrate on.

"From our perspective, Steve Borthwick and Michael Owen have quickly settled into the team and have added great strength and depth to the squad. Both have already demonstrated their leadership abilities on the pitch.

"Chris Jack has been one of the best second rows in the world for many years, but we felt he needed a challenge to improve as a player so he has been selected in the back row after featuring in that position in pre-season. It's not necessarily a permanent switch, but it's something we believe will help the composition of the team and also allow us to get the best out of him.

"With Jack and Owen both being capable of switching to the second row, we've decided to go with Ben Skirving and Andy Saull on the bench as back row cover which is particularly tough on Kris Chesney, but we have good competition in the squad and that will serve us well over the season."

More to follow...

Form: Saracens won their final game of last season against Bristol at Milton Keynes, ending a three game losing sequence in the Guinness Premiership. Harlequins return to Twickenham just three weeks after carrying off the Middlesex Sevens crown at the same venue. Quins lost their last three games in the Premiership last season. Both sides won their particular match in the Twickenham Double Header last season, whilst the teams shared their two Premiership encounters last campaign.

The Teams:

Saracens: 15 Dan Scarbrough, 14 Francisco Leonelli, 13 Kevin Sorrell, 12 Adam Powell, 11 Kameli Ratuvou, 10 Glen Jackson, 9 Neil de Kock, 8 Michael Owen, 7 David Seymour, 6 Chris Jack, 5 Hugh Vyvyan, 4 Steve Borthwick (c), 3 Cencus Johnston, 2 Matt Cairns, 1 Nick Lloyd,
Replacements: 16 Fabio Ongaro, 17 Cobus Visagie, 18 Andy Saull, 19 Ben Skirving, 20 Moses Rauluni, 21 Gordon Ross, 22 Rodd Penney.

Harlequins: tbc

Date: Saturday, September 6
Kick-off: 17:00 (16:00 GMT)
Venue: Twickenham
Referee: Wayne Barnes
Touch judges: Stuart Terheege, Alan Biggs
Assessor: Tony Spreadbury
Television match official: John Burtenshaw