Two changes for Saracens ahead of Gloucester clash

David Skippers
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We have reached the knockout rounds of the Premiership campaign and holders Saracens will host Gloucester in Saturday’s first semi-final, at Allianz Park, in what promises to be a thrilling contest.

Saracens boss Mark McCall has made two changes to the XV that started the Champions Cup final win over Leinster a fortnight ago – both enforced.

Props Richard Barrington and Vincent Koch replaced Mako Vunipola (hamstring) and Titi Lamositele (ankle) after 29 minutes at St James’ Park and produced monstrous displays to help Sarries regain the European title.

The rest of the starting XV remains the same with several players also putting huge performances against Leinster.

This weekend’s match is set to be a big day for centre Nick Tompkins. He will make his 100th Saracens appearance when he enters the field of play – a remarkable achievement for the 24-year-old.

Mike Rhodes has recovered from his back complaint to take the number 20 shirt and Academy loosehead Ralph Adams-Hale will look to make an impact on his 10th first-team outing.

Elsewhere, there will be Allianz Park farewells for Christian Judge and David Strettle. Cornish-born Judge has contributed immensely since joining on an initial loan from Cornish Pirates before making the switch permanent this year and departs with everyone’s best wishes.

Club legend Strettle will hang up his boots following the completion of the 2018/19 campaign. To date he has made 155 appearances for Saracens and was part of the club’s first Premiership title win in 2011. A brilliant character who will go on to be a success outside of rugby.

Meanwhile, Willi Heinz will skipper a Gloucester side which sees only Charlie Sharples retain his place in the starting line-up from last week’s game away at Sale Sharks.

The Cherry and Whites are no strangers to European knock-out fixtures in recent times, but this is the club’s first appearance in the Premiership semi-finals since the 2010-11 season when they faced Saracens, their opponents again on Saturday.

The teams have already met twice this season, with both teams winning their respective home fixture. It will also be the third time that they have met at the semi-final stage – one win apiece.

However, when previewing the game with the media this week, Gloucester head coach Johan Ackermann insisted that what’s come before will count for nothing come kick-off.

“You only get one opportunity, it doesn’t matter what you’ve done before in the previous 22 weeks. It’s a one-off game, no bonus points, the team that finishes one point ahead will win,” he said.

“But, from a preparation point of view, you try and keep to the same routine and maintain the same intensity and tick all the normal boxes.

“You have to respect Sarries for what they’ve achieved, they’ve been together for several years, produced many international players and they’re a quality squad. It means it’s a massive challenge.

“We know we’re up against the best team in Europe. We have to believe, trust that our players will be ready and tackle the challenge head on.”

Form: This match will be the 3,000th game of Premiership Rugby since the tournament began almost 22 years ago. It is Saracens’ 11th appearance at the semi-final stage where their record is won six, lost four, although they have won four of the last five. Four of those semi-finals have been played at Allianz Park where their only defeat was to Northampton in 2013. Saracens’ defeat at Worcester on Saturday was their sixth this season in Premiership Rugby and all of those have been since November. Saracens are unbeaten in any home game at any venue since Leicester’s 28-20 victory at Allianz Park on 25 February 2018. Gloucester have appeared in just three previous Premiership Rugby semi-finals, and two of those were against Saracens. Their only victory at this stage was against Saracens at Kingsholm in 2007, whilst their two defeats were at home to Leicester in 2008 and away to Saracens at Vicarage Road in 2011. Gloucester’s only victory in the last three rounds of Premiership Rugby was at home to relegated Newcastle in Round 21. The last seven meetings between the two clubs in Premiership Rugby have all been won by the home side on the day. Gloucester have lost on all six previous visits they have made to Allianz Park.

The teams:

Saracens: 15 Alex Goode, 14 Liam Williams, 13 Alex Lozowski, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 Sean Maitland, 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Ben Spencer, 8 Billy Vunipola, 7 Jackson Wray, 6 Maro Itoje, 5 George Kruis, 4 Will Skelton, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Jamie George, 1 Richard Barrington
Replacements: 16 Joe Gray, 17 Ralph Adams-Hale, 18 Christian Judge, 19 Nick Isiekwe, 20 Mike Rhodes, 21 Richard Wigglesworth, 22 Nick Tompkins, 23 David Strettle

Gloucester: 15 Jason Woodward, 14 Charlie Sharples, 13 Billy Twelvetrees, 12 Mark Atkinson, 11 Tom Marshall, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Willi Heinz (c), 8 Ben Morgan, 7 Jaco Kriel, 6 Ruan Ackermann, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Ed Slater, 3 Fraser Balmain, 2 Franco Marais, 1 Josh Hohneck
Replacements: 16 Mike Sherry, 17 Val Rapava Ruskin, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Tom Savage, 20 Lewis Ludlow, 21 Jake Polledri, 22 Ben Vellacott, 23 Henry Purdy

Date: Saturday, May 25
Venue: Allianz Park
Kick-off: 13:30 BST (12:30 GMT)
Referee: Luke Pearce
Assistant Referees: Karl Dickson, Paul Dix
TMO: David Grashoff

Gloucester