Venter changes three for Dragons' visit
Sat, 06 Feb 2010 14:54
Saracens Director of Rugby Brendan Venter made three changes to his starting line-up, as his team round off the action in the LV= Cup pool stages - when the Dragons visit Vicarage Road on Sunday.
The changes made by Venter are to the team that secured a bonus point at Leeds Carnegie last weekend.
Justin Marshall and Glen Jackson come in as a new halfback pairing, while in the second row Hayden Smith replaces Hugh Vyvyan - who will be missing for up to two months after suffering knee ligament damage at Leeds.
On the bench, Neil de Kock returns following an ankle knock and with Rhys Gill being promoted to the Wales bench for Saturday's Six Nations opener against England, prop Alex Brown is named on the bench.
Steve Borthwick, Alex Goode, Noah Cato, Brad Barritt, Tom Mercey, Kevin Barrett, Don Barrell, Jackson Wray and Jamie George are all unavailable due to England duty at various levels this weekend.
Matias Aguero and Fabio Ongaro have also been named on the bench for Italy's clash with Ireland.
Speaking ahead of the game, in which Saracens are aiming for a semifinal spot, Venter said: "We are the final game taking place in the pool stages so both teams will know what we have to do to try and qualify for the semifinals.
"Of course, that does not mean that as a side we will wait and see what happens. We have planned and trained all week with one task in mind and that is to win Sunday's game – we will always have that attitude.
"Depending on results, the Dragons could also have plenty to play for. They are a side who put 40 points on the Ospreys last weekend, so we know they are a quality outfit and we will have to be at our best against them."
Saracens: 15 Chris Wyles, 14 Richard Haughton, 13 Rodd Penney, 12 Adam Powell, 11 Michael Tagicakibau, 10 Glen Jackson, 9 Justin Marshall, 8 Ernst Joubert, 7 Jacques Burger, 6 Wikus van Heerden (captain), 5
Mouritz Botha, 4 Hayden Smith, 3 Richard Skuse, 2 Schalk Brits, 1 Kasiano Lealamanua.
Replacements: 16 Ethienne Reynecke, 17 Alex Brown, 18 Carlos Nieto, 19 Tom Ryder, 20 Andy Saull, 21 Neil de Kock, 22 Derick Hougaard, 23 James Short.
Date: Sunday, February 7
Venue: Vicarage Road
Kick-off: 17.00 GMT
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
Assistant referees: Stuart Terheege (England), Andrew Watson (England)
TMO: John Burtenshaw (England), David Matthews (England)
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