Preview: Saracens v Bath

Saracens will be looking to make it eight wins from their last eight in the Aviva Premiership on Sunday when they host Bath in Watford.

Saracens will be looking to make it eight wins from their last eight in the Aviva Premiership on Sunday when they host Bath at Vicarage Road.

In team news ahead of the game, minor knocks rule out Neil de Kock and Justin Melck which sees two changes to the starting line-up with Richard Wigglesworth and Kelly Brown both returning.

On the bench, Jacques Burger returns from the knee injury that has kept him out for the past six weeks while Kevin Barrett and Mouritz Botha come into the matchday 23.

Meanwhile, Bath travel to Watford aiming to get their campaign for a play-off position back on track after defeat to Leicester at the Rec last weekend.

Defence and skills coach, Brad Davis, explains how this fixture has now become a must-win for Bath as they continue their push for the play-offs.

“We played some great bits of rugby last weekend, especially in the first 40 minutes – we made numerous line-breaks and with better finishing we could've been two or three tries to the good,” he said.

“It was the classic case that you put all the pressure on the opposition and then they score a couple of breakaways and a couple of soft tries, and all the momentum goes with them. It's taught us a lesson in taking opportunities and to take our points whilst we can. We have the chance to put things right on Sunday and it's turning into a must win game for us as we look to push into the top four.

“We have a couple of games in hand, but they will only count if we win them. When the rearranged fixtures come, we have to take those opportunities.

“At the same time we are under no illusions that the most important game in our season is coming up on Sunday. We know what Saracens provide – a stern physical test, and a strong set piece. They don't give too much away so we are going to have to be at our best to make sure we stay on top of them and come away with the points.”

Form: Saracens have won three of their last four encounters with Bath in all competitions, whilst amazingly the away side has taken the last three Premiership clashes between the two clubs. Saracens are the best team in Aviva Premiership Rugby on current form; having gained 25 points from a possible 30 in their last six matches. Saracens only Premiership defeat since November came at Sale on 2 January. Bath Rugby were handed their biggest ever home defeat in competitive rugby against Leicester on Saturday. Bath remain the third best away side in the Premiership this season having picked up 20 league points from their eight trips so far.

The teams:

Saracens: 15 Alex Goode, 14 David Strettle, 13 Chris Wyles, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 James Short, 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Richard Wigglesworth, 8 Ernst Joubert, 7 Andy Saull, 6 Kelly Brown, 5 Hayden Smith, 4 Steve Borthwick (capt), 3 Carlos Nieto, 2 Schalk Brits, 1 Matt Stevens.
Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Rhys Gill, 18 Petrus du Plessis, 19 Mouritz Botha, 20 Jacques Burger, 21 Kevin Barrett, 22 Adam Powell, 23 Noah Cato.

Bath: 15 Nick Abendanon, 14 Matt Banahan, 13 Ben Williams, 12 Shontayne Hape, 11 Matt Carraro, 10 Butch James, 9 Michael Claassens, 8 Simon Taylor, 7 Luke Watson (capt), 6 Ben Skirving, 5 Peter Short, 4 Stuart Hooper, 3 Duncan Bell, 2 Lee Mears, 1 David Flatman.
Replacements: 16 Pieter Dixon, 17 Nathan Catt, 18 David Wilson, 19 Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe, 20 Guy Mercer, 21 Mark McMillan, 22 Sam Vesty, 23 Jack Cuthbert.

Date: Sunday, April 3
Kick-off: 14:15 (13:15 GMT)
Venue: Vicarage Road
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Assistant referees: Andy Watson, JP Doyle
Assessor: Paul Bridgman
Timekeeper: Marfleet
Television match official: David Matthews