TEAM NEWS | Saracens Men v Sale Sharks (GPR - Rd 18)
Ben Earl believes Saracens Men are starting to look like the team they want to be as they head towards the Gallagher Premiership play-offs.
The Men in Black welcome Sale Sharks for the final round of the regular season, safe in the knowledge that a victory will see them secure a home semi-final at StoneX Stadium.
Sarries, who have won their last three matches head in to this game in fine form and will be looking to extend that run as Alex Sanderson’s Sharks make the journey down to North London, for a game that they need to win to ensure a place in the top four.
The coaches have made just two changes from the side that impressively defeated Bristol last weekend, with Christian Judge coming in to the front-row to add power to the scrum, and Sean Maitland on the right wing.
Mako Vunipola, Jamie George and Judge will start in the front-row, with Maro Itoje and Hugh Tizard in the second-row.
Juan Martin Gonzalez, Ben Earl and Tom Willis will be looking to give the side more front-foot ball with their dynamism and physicality.
Ivan van Zyl and captain Owen Farrell will steer the ship as half-backs, whilst midfield duo of Nick Tompkins and Lucio Cinti continue their partnership.
Tom Parton starts on the left wing, with Maitland on the right, replacing Rotimi Segun who misses out through injury, and in-form Elliot Daly at full-back.
On the bench there is plenty of firepower, with the likes of Eroni Mawi, Nick Isiekwe, Theo McFarland and Billy Vunipola all ready to add their quality.
Earl can’t wait for another opportunity for the squad to grow on Saturday.
“It feels like we’re building nicely towards the kind of team we want to be.
It’s the most connected this squad has been and we have always felt like a team that gets better towards the end of the season.
There is still loads to get excited about and we need to keep showing that fight, attitude and focus from the last few weeks.”
Saracens Men team to play Sale Sharks:
1 Mako Vunipola
2 Jamie George
3 Christian Judge
4 Maro Itoje
5 Hugh Tizard
6 Juan Martin Gonzalez
7 Ben Earl
8 Tom Willis
9 Ivan van Zyl
10 Owen Farrell
11 Tom Parton
12 Nick Tompkins
13 Lucio Cinti
14 Sean Maitland
15 Elliot Daly
Replacements:
16 Theo Dan
17 Eroni Mawi
18 Marco Riccioni
19 Nick Isiekwe
20 Theo McFarland
21 Billy Vunipola
22 Aled Davies
23 Alex Goode
