Aviva Premiership Preview: Saracens will want maximum points against Exeter
Exeter face a tough test as they prepare to visit Saracens on Saturday, 30 October.
The club are third from bottom, but will be encouraged by a number of their performances in the league so far.
Saracens will be aiming to close the gap against high flying London Irish who lead the Aviva Premiership.
Saracens director of rugby, Brendan Venter has made a number of changes to the side that beat Newcastle 15-13 in their last match.
Saracens line-up
Nils Mordt, Michael Tagicakibau, Mouritz Botha and Jacques Burger will all return for the home side.
Hooker Schalk Brits will be rested and Ethienne Reynecki will be given a chance to impress Venter.
Back David Strettle and Brad Barritt will be disappointed to be named on the substitutes bench.
Saracens will also have to cope without long term injury victim Derick Hougaard at out-half, while new signing Gavin Henson is committed to finishing his contract with the BBC television show Strictly
Come Dancing.
Saracens form
Saracens are currently in third position in the Aviva Premiership and ground out an unconvincing win against Newcastle in their last match.
The side have struggled in recent games and were beaten by Clermont Auvergne 25-10 in France and by Leinster 25-23 at Wembley in their two Heineken Cup games earlier this month.
Saracens director of rugby, Venter believes his side will face a tough test against Exeter and said, "It didn't take long for Exeter to make their mark on the Premiership. In fact it only took one game
as their performance in round one to beat Gloucester sent out a message to the rest of the competition that they are not here to make up the numbers. Their displays since have proved that point and we will pay them the utmost respect onSaturday knowing that
they will put in a huge effort—just as they have every week."
Exeter line-up
Exeter out-half Ryan Davis will make his debut for the club in place of the instrumental Gareth Steenson.
Scrum-half Junior Polu and hooker Simon Alcott are both fit enough to take up positions on the bench.
Exeter will be in buoyant mood after their narrow 12-9 defeat at the hands of league leaders London Irish. The club also had a fantastic result away from home in their 34-19 victory over French side Bourgoin
in the European Challenge Cup.
Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter expects his side to challenge Saracens and said: “We're now in that place where if we turn up in the right frame of mind, and we've done a good preparation week, then
we'll be competitive against pretty much everybody. We're rarely making the same errors in two games running which is very important for us.”
What to look for
Exeter will fancy their chances in causing an upset. The newly promoted side have put in a number of good performances and Saracens are still adapting to life without Hougaard.
However, the outcome may depend on how the Exeter debutant Davis performs in the out-half position.
Baxter is looking forward to the occasion and said, "There are lots of positives and we're very much looking forward to going up to Saracens and testing ourselves in another tough rugby environment.”
Saracens should have too much power and talent and will be looking for a good display after some lacklustre performances.
Prediction:
Saracens 32-12 Exeter
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