Different threats to be shown by Sarries
Northampton Saints boss Jim Mallinder says Saracens will be a harder proposition now they have started running with the ball.
After going 10 games unbeaten at the start of the season, Saracens had a New Year wobble, losing five Premiership games in a row including a 19-12 defeat at Leeds.
It seemed their basic kick-and-chase game had finally been found out.
But they have gone back to the drawing board and opened up, beginning with a seven-try 58-15 thrashing of Newcastle.
Saracens have run in 18 tries in four games, winning three of them – a stark contrast to the 16 tries in 16 games before that.
The Vicarage Road club's fullback Alex Goode believes the turning point was the LV= Cup semi-final defeat at Saints on March 14.
Goode said: "We were a bit slow to adapt and move forward after a good start and teams do work you out.
"The turning point came when we lost the LV= Cup match against Northampton when we were down a lot of points but started to play a lot of rugby and opened them up.
"I think the coaches realised then that we could play and are equipped to do so."
It has certainly given Mallinder more to think about as he prepares his side for their fourth encounter with Saracens.
Victory would secure a home semi-final probably against tomorrow's opposition.
"It is a different type of threat," said Mallinder.
"I am sure they will still have some kick-chase in there – they do that well.
"But they have added this extra running game which makes them harder to defend against. They are a good side and we will need to be at our best to beat them."
Mallinder believes Kiwi fly-half Glen Jackson is paramount to this new running element to Saracens' game. In the LV= Cup semi-final clash Derick Hougaard was the pivot and was roundly booed for trying three long-range drop-goals – that all missed – in the first quarter.
Jackson won't be trying anything like that, instead with his old partner Neil de Kock he will be getting bulldozing centre Brad Barrit into the game to create space for the dancing feet of Goode.
"They seem to have changed their game plan of late," said Mallinder.
"Jackson is influential in that and has a massive part to play in how they want to play the game.
"He is an important component for them and anybody who saw the game against Harlequins at the weekened saw they are playing really well and counter-attacking well. It is going to be a good game of rugby."
Mallinder will have to check all the aches and pains from Tuesday's clash to people like Jon Clarke and Bruce Reihana, who look set to start all three games in eight days.
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Sunday 27 May 2012
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