After dominating Newcastle 40-15, Bath will now take on the ever so consistent Saracens whom has been one of the best teams in the league for quite some time and the Blue, Black, and White will finally have faced everyone in the Premiership midway through the season. Saracens are third in the table as this is expected to be a big time clash and should get a lot of attention. If Bath can secure points out of this matchup, then that would be huge, but a victory should be the goal regardless. Saracens are clinical and well coached, so it will be difficult.
Key Players For Saracens
Theo Dan-Hooker
Jamie George-Hooker
Kapeli Pifeleti-Hooker
Fraser Balmain-Prop
Rhys Carre-Prop
Ollie Hoskins-Prop
Eroni Mawi-Prop
Marco Riccioni-Prop
Nick Isiekwe-Lock
Maro Itoje-Lock
Theo McFarland-Lock
Hugh Tizard-Lock
Ben Earl-Back Row
Juan Martin Gonzalez-Back Row
Tom Willis-Back Row
Gareth Simpson-Scrumhalf
Ivan van Zyl-Scrumhalf
Fergus Burke-Flyhalf
Olly Hartley-Center
Alex Lozowski-Center
Nick Tompkins-Center
Lucio Cinti-Wing
Rotimi Segun-Wing
Elliot Daly-Wing/Fullback
Alex Goode-Wing/Fullback
Liam Williams-Fullback
Keep Up With The Depth Of Saracens
As one can see up above that this team is really deep. Keeping up with their depth will be absolutely vital. Bath certainly has a lot of talented players and are also deep, but the question is it going to be enough to keep up with Saracens. That question should be answered after this contest is over.
Hold The Ground In The Scrum
Bath's scrum is really good, but again with the depth, it's obvious that Saracens have another solid one as well. But not only are Saracens deep, they have a lot of talented players especially at hooker and in the locks as some of them have featured on international sides showing the type of quality the London club possesses. Bath isn't going to win every single scrum, but if they can win most of them then it should help lead to a victory.
Matchup In The Lineouts
As it's been highly discussed about, Bath struggles at lineouts as it's clear Tom Dunn's ability at the set piece despite his ball carrying skills have been a problem. It certainly helps having Quinn Roux and Ross Molony with their lineout wizardry to make up for some of Dunn's problems, but they can't be relied on every time. The two Irishmen will get their fair share of stealing some throws, but expecting them to do that every time is a lot to ask for. If Bath really struggles here, then it's going to be a long afternoon.
Contain Saracens' Speed
One thing that is well known about the Saracens attack is that there is a lot of speed to watch out for. Bath might have a good defense, but this is an attack where they have to stay on their toes. Players like Rotimi Segun, Elliot Daly, Alex Goode, and Nick Tompkins are all lethal options because their speed makes them hard to defend. Bath will have to find ways to contain it and possibly limiting the damage might have to be the way to go. It might have to come down to a bend, but don't break defense.
Disrupt Alex Lozowski
One of the key players to the Saracens attack is Lozowski and has been for a while. While he might not be the one calling the plays, he's certainly the one who is in control. His vision of the pitch, kicking ability, and passing is what makes their attack flow and where Lozowski goes, they go. Not letting Lozowski get going will have to be key in winning this match.
Let Ben Spencer/Finn Russell Cook
It's clear and away that Spencer and Russell are the best partnership in the Premiership. With Spencer's speed and ball distribution and Russell's play calling and kicking ability, this is far and away a lethal combination to face off against. Letting them do their thing is the best bet to win and having them in sync is almost near impossible to defend.
Starting XV Vs Saracens
1 Beno Obano
2 Tom Dunn
3 Thomas du Toit
4 Quinn Roux
5 Charlie Ewels
6 Ted Hill
7 Guy Pepper
8 Alfie Barbeary
9 Ben Spencer
10 Finn Russell
11 Will Muir
12 Cameron Redpath
13 Ollie Lawrence
14 Joe Cokanasiga
15 Tom de Glanville
Replacements
16 Niall Annett
17 Francois van Wyk
18 Will Stuart
19 Ross Molony
20 Sam Underhill
21 Louis Schreuder
22 Max Ojomoh
23 Miles Reid
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