Preview: Saracens v Bath

Saracens have made three changes to their starting XV for Sunday's Guinness Premiership meeting with Bath at Vicarage Road.

Saracens have made three changes to their starting team for Sunday's Guinness Premiership clash with Bath at Vicarage Road.

In the front-row, Kasiano Lealamanua returns with Matias Aguero on international duty with Italy while Mouritz Botha is given the nod to start at lock with Tom Ryder on the bench. The other change sees Michael Tagicakibau start on the wing.

With Rhys Gill joining Aguero on international duty and Carlos Nieto ruled out through injury, prop Alex Brown is named among the replacements while Adam Powell and Rodd Penney also return to the matchday 23.

Steve Borthwick and Fabio Ongaro are also away on international duty while Hugh Vyvyan, Kevin Barrett and Michael Owen are injured.

“Bath's last two results in the competition have seen them secure wins against London Irish and Worcester Warriors and they are a very good rugby side. We will need to be at our best to get the result we want,” said Director of Rugby, Brendan Venter.

“International call-ups and injuries have left us a little thin in some areas of our squad in recent weeks, but we are now seeing the benefits of the rotation policy as now, at this important time of year, we have players coming into the side with plenty of game time under their belts. The guys are really stepping up in these areas and this will be of great benefit to Saracens in the future.”

Meanwhile, are without fly-half Butch James this weekend but enter Watford confident according to Skills and Defence Coach Brad Davies.

“Winning breeds confidence,” said Davis.

“We have a very happy camp at training and it's nice to see that the hard work we have put in is starting to come together,”

“However, no games are ever a guaranteed win in the Guinness Premiership and taking on Saracens going to be a tough fixture.

“Any given team on any given date can win and that's what can be exciting about the Premiership – it is so unpredictable. So, there are plenty of points up for grabs!”

And with those points in mind, Brad is getting the team to focus on one match at a time: “We just need to approach it one game at a time, with a real good mindset and focus and concentrate on the performance for that one match.

“We know the game that we play best here at Bath, and that is a fast up tempo match. We can't stray too far away from what we do well. Saracens are a very hard working side who are well drilled so they are going to be a hard side to break down. We have identified some opportunities where we can work them in certain areas.”

Form: Sarries have not achieved a Premiership double over Bath since season 2001/02, whilst Bath have not won at Vicarage Road domestically since 12 February 2006. Saracens, who began the Guinness Premiership campaign with eight straight victories, have now gained just one win from their last four games. Sarries have lost only one home game in the Premiership this season: 15-22 to Leicester on 2 January. Bath have recorded six four successive wins in the Guinness Premiership since their 13-15 reversal at Northampton on 5 December. Saracens have already beaten Bath at Vicarage Road this season: 30-22 in the LV= Cup on 8 November, and also won 12-11 at The Rec in the Guinness Premiership on 31 October.

The teams:

Saracens: 15 Alex Goode, 14 Michael Tagicakibau, 13 Kameli Ratuvou, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 Chris Wyles, 10 Derick Hougaard, 9 Neil de Kock, 8 Ernst Joubert, 7 Andy Saull, 6 Wikus van Heerden (capt), 5 Mouritz Botha, 4 Hayden Smith, 3 Richard Skuse, 2 Ethienne Reynecke, 1 Kasiano Lealamanua.
Replacements: 16 Schalk Brits, 17 Alex Brown, 18 Tom Mercey, 19 Tom Ryder, 20 Jacques Burger, 21 Justin Marshall, 22 Adam Powell, 23 Rodd Penney.

Bath: 15 Nick Abendanon, 14 Joe Maddock, 13 Shontayne Hape, 12 Olly Barkley, 11 Matt Banahan, 10 Ryan Davis, 9 Michael Claassens (capt), 8 Luke Watson, 7 Julian Salvi, 6 Andy Beattie, 5 Peter Short, 4 Stuart Hooper, 3 Duncan Bell, 2 Pieter Dixon, 1 David Flatman.
Replacements: 16 Mark Lilley, 17 Nathan Catt, 18 Aaron Jarvis, 19 Scott Hobson, 20 Jonny Faamatuainu, 21 Scott Bemand, 22 Nicky Little, 23 Jack Cuthbert.

Date: Sunday, February 28
Kick-off: 15:00
Venue: Vicarage Road
Referee: David Rose
Assistant referees: Roy Maybank, Paul Dix