Sarries' Sorrell takes the lead
Fri, 02 May 2008 15:34
Kevin Sorrell will captain Saracens as they return to Guinness Premiership action on Saturday with a trip to high-flying Bath.
The Saracens centre, who is approaching 300 appearances for the club (277), has called on his players to finish the domestic season on a high with their final away trip of the year.
Sorrell said: "We are determined to end the season strongly and with two wins.
"Our league form has taken a dip in the past few months but it has still been a successful season in terms of our progress to make two semifinals. The important thing is that we don't throw that away and finish the season on a strong note.
"It's always an honour to captain Saracens and I'll be stressing to the boys the importance of showing pride in the black jersey and in their own performance. I'll also be encouraging them to make sure they enjoy themselves, as we've played some of our best rugby this season when we've done that."
Club captain Neil de Kock, Ben Skirving, Hugh Vyvyan and Nick Lloyd all picked up minor injures in last weekend's Heineken Cup semifinal and will miss out on the trip to the West Country with Moses Rauluni, Tom Ryder, Iain Fullarton and Kevin Yates all coming into the starting line-up.
Watford born flank Don Barrell also replaces Richard Hill in the back row while Cencus Johnston is preferred over Cobus Visagie at tighthead prop, with Fabio Ongaro given the nod to start at hooker.
Apart from the inclusion of Rauluni, the backline remains unchanged.
Director of Rugby Alan Gaffney says Bath at the Rec is always a challenge, with Saracens drawing their last two Premiership matches at the Rec.
"Bath are playing some good rugby, are looking for a home semi final, and in form as their Challenge Cup semifinal win over Sale suggests.
"We know we can perform there as we've done over the last couple of years, and with some fresh legs to cover for the injured players we'll look for the away win, before finishing the season with a strong performance at home."
Saracens: 15 Richard Haughton, 14 Francisco Leonelli, 13 Kevin Sorrell (captain), 12 Adam Powell, 11 Kameli Ratuvou, 10 Glen Jackson, 9 Moses Rauluni, 8 Paul Gustard, 7 Don Barrell, 6 Kris Chesney, 5 Iain Fullarton, 4 Tom Ryder, 3 Cencus Johnston, 2 Fabio Ongaro, 1 Kevin Yates.
Replacements: 16 Matt Cairns, 17 Tom Mercey, 18 Andy Saull, 19 David Seymour, 20 Alan Dickens, 21 Gordon Ross, 22 Dan Scarbrough.
Date: Saturday, May 3
Venue: The Rec
Kick-off: 18.00 (17.00 GMT)
Referee: Rob Debney
Touch judges: Paul Dix, Andrew Pearce
Television match official: Laurie Bryant, Geoff Warren
With thanks to guinnesspremiership.com
