Steady Sorrell back for Sarries
Fri, 28 Mar 2008 14:09
Veteran Kevin Sorrell returns from injury to the Saracens starting line-up for Sunday's vital Guinness Premiership clash against Leeds Carnegie at Vicarage Road.
The 31-year-old outside centre, ruled out for two months with an ankle injury, is now ready to reclaim a place in a changed Saracens midfield that also sees Adam Powell earn a recall to the starting XV for Sunday's game.
Sorrell is making a timely return to action with just five matches remaining in the Premiership regular season and Saracens are fully aware they need a win against Leeds to maintain hopes of a play-off spot.
"There's never a good time to be out injured and by the same token, a good time to come back," explained Sorrell, who is in his 13th season with the club and closing in on 300 appearances.
"However, with just a few games to go this season, hopefully I'll be able to contribute in a positive way and that starts on Sunday.
"It's taken longer than I'd hoped to get back and I've been eased in gently over the past few weeks and to be honest, I can't wait to get back out on the pitch again.
"This is a crucial game for both sides and for differing reasons. We need the win to keep up the pressure on the teams in the top four and Leeds are fighting for their lives.
"We've made it difficult for ourselves with our results in recent weeks, but it's not impossible."
The return of England Under-20 centre Powell to the starting line-up sees Andy Farrell move to the replacement bench.
In other team news, Matt Cairns starts at hooker while Cencus Johnston returns after attending the birth of his child last weekend. Kris Chesney takes over in the second row from the injured Chris Jack with Paul Gustard taking his spot in the back row.
Andy Kyriacou has been ruled out for the rest of the season because of a knee injury while Richard Haughton is rested having featured in all but five of the North London's club's matches this season.
"Sunday's game is vital if we are to keep up a challenge in the Premiership," stressed Director of Rugby Alan Gaffney.
"Adam Powell has been battling it out with Andy Farrell at inside centre all season so this week is his opportunity.
"Injuries have forced us into a few other changes but it's great to have Kevin Sorrell back in the line-up.
"Everyone is fully aware of what needs to be done and also the dangers that Leeds possess. We've played them twice this season but those results will count for nothing.
"Their recent results and performances have been good and that is the sign of a team who have found their feet in the Premiership after a difficult start.
"One of the features of those recent games is the fact they have made good starts to matches - that is one thing we cannot allow them to on Sunday," concluded Gaffney.
Saracens: 15 Brent Russell, 14 Francisco Leonelli, 13 Kevin
Sorrell, 12 Adam Powell, 11 Kameli Ratuvou, 10 Glen Jackson, 9 Neil de Kock (captain), 8 Ben Skirving, 7 Don Barrell, 6 Paul Gustard, 5 Hugh Vyvyan, 4 Kris Chesney, 3 Cencus Johnston, 2 Matt Cairns, 1 Nick Lloyd.
Replacements: 16 Fabio Ongaro, 17 Cobus Visagie, 18 Tom Ryder, 19 David Seymour, 20 Moses Rauluni, 21 Andy Farrell, 22 Dan Scarbrough.
Date: Sunday, 30 March
Venue: Vicarage Road
Kick-off: 17.00 GMT
Referee: Martin Fox
Touch judges: David Kurk, Paul Dickens
Television match official: Bob Ockenden
With thanks to guinnesspremiership.com
