Aviva Premiership semi-finals preview: Saracens v Harlequins

 

SARACENS
Story of the season
The dominant and most consistent team of the regular season, so much so that in recent weeks they have been able to rotate key players to keep them fresh with a Heineken Cup final also in mind. Relatively injury free but that has been offset by missing their England contingent in the autumn and again in the Six Nations. Sarries started with a bang with five victories on the bounce including big wins over London Irish, Gloucester and Bath but endured a rare off day at Franklin’s Gardens at the end of October, losing 41-20 and being outscored six tries to two. Both sides were missing an array of stars but it was a wake-up call. Saracens responded with six wins on the bounce including a 49-10 annihilation of Tigers before their second defeat of the season, a 22-13 home reverse against London Irish in the middle of the Six Nations. Normal service was resumed with eight consecutive wins which meant they qualified as the top team regardless of what happened at Leicester yesterday.
Stand-outs
Almost invidious to single players out but comeback king Jacques Burger and Schalk Brits are enjoying remarkable seasons; retiring skipper Steve Borthwick has rarely played better; Owen Farrell and Charlie Hodgson offer great quality at ten and Dave Strettle and Alex Goode are back to their best.
Strengths
Their all-round game. Highest scorers in the Premiership season and a wolf-pack defence than can stifle opposition attacks. The biggest improvement this season has been their willingness and ability to attack and convert all that pressure into points. Their off-loading has improved out of recognition.
Weaknesses
Very few. Saracens are a hard team to crack but will they run out of steam? If they can win their play-off semi-final, that massive Heineken Cup final against Toulon the following week could prove a big distraction, draining emotionally and physically, before the Aviva final.
Play-off pedigree
Won the play-offs and title in 2011 after Leicester had topped the regular season table. Losing finalists in 2010.
 If a miracle is needed…
Look for something special from the man who never stops – Schalk Brits.
Prediction
Sarries have got the bit between their teeth. Will take something special to thwart them.
 

HARLEQUINS
Story of the season
Roller-coaster season with qualification only being secured at the death against Bath yesterday. England calls and injuries have definitely hit hard but Quins’ high octane off-loading game also give the opposition chances if it misfires slightly. Early losses to Saints and Sarries rocked Quins a little, as did a sloppy defeat to London Irish but wins over Sale and, particularly, an away triumph at Leicester put them back on track, in fact Quins won all three Premiership games during the international window in November. Inconsistency then crept in but again they did exceptionally well during the Six Nations period when Quins won three of their four league games with the younger players covering themselves in glory. Going into April off the back of a 23-9 win over London Irish they needed to win their final four games to qualify and that is what they have done reeling off nerve-wracking wins against Sale, Tigers, Exeter and now Bath. It’s been tough but they arrive at the play-offs with momentum.
Stand-outs
Nick Easter and Dave Ward have been rocks and Nick Evans, superb against Exeter recently, is coming to the boil. All their England contingent – Danny Care, Robshaw, Joe Marler and Mike Brown – have gone well when available. Kyle Sinckler is an emerging talent to watch.
Strengths
Devastating high tempo, off-loading, continuity game when in the groove. Great team spirit and never beaten until the final whistle.
Weaknesses
Scrum can be ‘got at’ and if you can defend strongly against their off-loading game Quins sometimes struggle to switch to Plan B.
Play-off pedigree
Play-off champions in 2012 after they had also finished top of the regular season table.
If a miracle is needed…
Look for something special from Nick Evans who is back in All Blacks form.
Prediction
Finishing the season with all guns blazing and the kind of team that can find another level in the heat of battle. Sarries away might just be too big an ask though.