Preview: LV= Cup semifinals
Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:40
The LV= Cup has reached the semifinals stage and by the end of the weekend we will know who the 2010 finalists will be.
The first of the two semifinals is a repeat of last year's final, as the defending champions the Cardiff Blues host Gloucester.
The second semi-final is an all English affair with Northampton Saints hosting Saracens in an eagerly awaited clash.
There is also Six Nations rugby taking place this weekend, so all the teams will be without their internationals and will rely on the depth in their squads to claim a place in the final.
Sunday, March 14
Cardiff Blues v Gloucester
(Cardiff City Stadium - 12:15 GMT)
Last year's final was a one sided affair with the Blues coming out as victors 50-12 over Gloucester at Twickenham.
The reigning Cup holders only defeat in the LV= Cup this season was 11-12 at home to London Irish in round two and the Blues have recorded victories against Newcastle Falcons, the Scarlets and a thrilling 26-25 win in the opening round at Kingsholm thanks to a 79th minute Ceri Sweeney penalty.
The Blues have won on the last four occasions that the two teams have met. The Blues have also won ten of their last eleven home games against English teams in all tournaments.
Gloucester are mid-table in the Guinness Premiership currently with three wins from their last five games and the LV= Cup is likely to be their only chance at silverware this season.
Rugby365 Prediction: The Blues record against English clubs at home speaks for itself and Gloucester will find it tough going in Cardiff - Blues by 12-18.
Teams:
Cardiff Blues: 15 Ben Blair, 14 Tom James, 13 Casey Laulala, 12 Dafydd Hewitt, 11 Chris Czekaj, 10 Ceri Sweeney, 9 Gareth Cooper, 8 Xavier Rush, 7 Ben White, 6 Andy Powell, 5 Paul Tito (captain), 4 Scott Morgan,
3 Scott Andrews, 2 T Rhys Thomas, 1 Faao Filise.
Replacements: 16 Huw Dowden, 17 Ian George, 18 Nathan Trevett, 19 Andries Petorius, 20 Maama Molitika, 21 Darren Allinson, 22 Sam Norton-Knight.
Gloucester: 15 Freddie Burns, 14 James Simpson-Daniel, 13 Mike Tindall (captain), 12 Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu, 11 Lesley Vainikolo, 10 Nicky Robinson, 9 Dave Lewis, 8 Jake Boer, 7 Akapusi Qera, 6 Peter Buxton, 5 Alex Brown, 4 Will James, 3 Paul Doran-Jones, 2 Olivier Azam, 1 Nick Wood.
Replacements: 16 Darren Dawidiuk, 17 Rupert Harden/ Alasdair Dickinson, 18 Pierre Capdevielle, 19 Adam Eustace, 20 Andrew Hazell, 21 Jordi Pasqualin, 22 Tim Molenaar, 23 Tom Voyce.
Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)
Northampton Saints v Saracens
(Franklin's Gardens - 16:15 GMT)
Saints and Saracens are both having strong seasons, lying second and third respectively in the Premiership table.
Northampton remain the only side with a 100% winning record in this season’s LV= Cup as they aim to go one step further than last year when they were eliminated at this stage by Cardiff Blues.
The Saints have a formidable record at Franklin’s Gardens with a run of 18 straight victories since Newcastle won there 19-13 on February 28, 2009.
Saracens are hot on the heels of the Saints just one place behind the East Midlanders in the Premiership table. Sarries have however slipped to three straight defeats and have not won on the road since their visit to Leeds in the LV= Cup on January 29.
The two teams have already met twice this season with Saracens victorious 19-16 at Wembley Stadium in the Guinness Premiership on September 12 and Northampton triumphing 19-3 at Franklin’s Gardens in the LV= Cup on November 14. Sarries have not won at Franklin’s Gardens since a 35-13 scoreline in the Premiership in November 2006.
Rugby365 Prediction: Franklin's Gardens has been a fortress for Saints in recent times and Sarries are low on confidence with three defeats in a row - Saints by 6-10.
Teams:
Saints: 15 Bruce Reihana, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Jon Clarke, 12 James Downey, 11 Paul Diggin, 10 Shane Geraghty, 9 Lee Dickson, 8 Roger Wilson, 7 Neil Best, 6 Phil Dowson (captain), 5 Juandre Kruger, 4 Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe, 3 Brian Mujati, 2 Brett Sharman, 1 Soane Tonga'uiha.
Replacements: 16 Andy Long, 17 Regardt Dreyer, 18 Jon Vickers, 19 James Cannon, 20 Mark Easter, 21 Alan Dickens, 22 Stephen Myler, 23 Joe Ansbro.
Saracens: 15 Alex Goode, 14 Rodd Penney, 13 Kameli Ratuvou, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 Chris Wyles, 10 Derick Hougaard, 9 Neil de Kock, 8 Ernst Joubert (captain), 7 Andy Saull, 6 Jacques Burger, 5 Mouritz Botha, 4 Hayden Smith, 3 Richard Skuse, 2 Schalk Brits, 1 Kasiano
Lealamanua.
Replacements: 16 Ethienne Reynecke, 17 Alex Brown, 18 Tom Mercey, 19 Tom Ryder, 20 Justin Melck, 21 Justin Marshall, 22 Glen Jackson, 23 Richard Haughton.
Referee: Romain Poite (France)