I have no basis for the following post, except for stupid optimism.

We're going to beat those Sarrie bastards. [/fin]

pinky wrote:

RonanL wrote: Also, we have to be prepared for the possiblity of witnessing a Chris Ashton swan dive in person. Shudder.

On the other hand, we could have the honour of being the first to witness him f***ing it up

Oh that would be magical. Can you imagine the donkey chorus from the Clan if that was to happen. Dare to dream.

The IMF wrote:

ummm, wrote: I have this horrible feeling that our wins against Harlequins and Biarritz could work against us, if that makes any sense. With the sense that we can cause an upset comes almost a sense what we <em>will</em> cause an upset.

Then it's all downhill from there

Don't forget about that victory over Toulouse as well according to McCall on the Sarries web site at least!!!

www.saracens.com/saracens-name-side-to-face-connacht/

Saracens Director of Rugby Mark McCall; “We have got to be right mentally and physically. Connacht really step it up in this competition – I know that from my experiences in Ireland.

“It’s a really good, passionate atmosphere there and we have to be on our game – but having to grind out a victory against Wasps will not have done us any harm.”

“I know from experience that we have to be on the money when we go to the Sportsground” McCall added.

“I think in the last four seasons Connacht have beaten Harlequins, Biarritz and Toulouse in Galway.

“If that doesn’t focus our mind, I’m not sure what does.”

I must be losing my memory, did we beat Toulouse?

ummm, wrote: I have this horrible feeling that our wins against Harlequins and Biarritz could work against us, if that makes any sense. With the sense that we can cause an upset comes almost a sense what we <em>will</em> cause an upset.

Then it's all downhill from there

Don't forget about that victory over Toulouse as well according to McCall on the Sarries web site at least!!!

www.saracens.com/saracens-name-side-to-face-connacht/

Saracens Director of Rugby Mark McCall; “We have got to be right mentally and physically. Connacht really step it up in this competition – I know that from my experiences in Ireland.

“It’s a really good, passionate atmosphere there and we have to be on our game – but having to grind out a victory against Wasps will not have done us any harm.”

“I know from experience that we have to be on the money when we go to the Sportsground” McCall added.

“I think in the last four seasons Connacht have beaten Harlequins, Biarritz and Toulouse in Galway.

“If that doesn’t focus our mind, I’m not sure what does.”

RonanL wrote: Also, we have to be prepared for the possiblity of witnessing a Chris Ashton swan dive in person. Shudder.

On the other hand, we could have the honour of being the first to witness him f***ing it up

I have this horrible feeling that our wins against Harlequins and Biarritz could work against us, if that makes any sense. With the sense that we can cause an upset comes almost a sense what we will cause an upset.

Then it's all downhill from there

Just spotted the ref is Pascal Gauzère, his inconsistent refereeing 'style' could have a big influence on this match.

menacethedenis wrote:

RonanL wrote: That Saracens line up is daunting. I don't know if it was mentioned on here already, but an article on Lam in the times yesterday (link below) alluded to the possibility that Saracens will be coming over here to prove a point, on behalf of the premiership, that teams such as Connacht shouldn't be in the competition. It's baseless, but I really hope they don't come with that mentality because it could get ugly!

www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/while-dis...-direction-1.1554143

I hope they do come with that mentality. We always fare better when teams underestimate us. I'm sick with worry about this game. If we rise to the occasion like we have before and our defense vastly improves we could do well. I do fear a heavy defeat though.

The moment I clicked submit on that post, I knew someone would reply about the mentality point, and I totally agree with you. I guess what I meant to say was that if they are winning comfortably, and they have a goal to humiliate us, then it might get uglier than it might otherwise be. I too am fearful, but I'm also really looking forward to a Heineken Cup night at the sportsground.

I see a seperate post about Owen Farrell. A good player alright, but I think most would love to see him lose the cool and have a nightmare (didn't he do that against Munster last year?).

Also, we have to be prepared for the possiblity of witnessing a Chris Ashton swan dive in person. Shudder.

RonanL wrote: That Saracens line up is daunting. I don't know if it was mentioned on here already, but an article on Lam in the times yesterday (link below) alluded to the possibility that Saracens will be coming over here to prove a point, on behalf of the premiership, that teams such as Connacht shouldn't be in the competition. It's baseless, but I really hope they don't come with that mentality because it could get ugly!

www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/while-dis...-direction-1.1554143

I hope they do come with that mentality. We always fare better when teams underestimate us. I'm sick with worry about this game. If we rise to the occasion like we have before and our defense vastly improves we could do well. I do fear a heavy defeat though.

Rodney's 50th appearance tomorrow night, ok he gets a lot of schtick most of it justified but his durability and commitment deserves acknowledgement too. And let's be honest where would we be tomorrow night without him?

I'm glad Sarries have gone with Vunipola at 1 instead of Gill who is the superior scrum operator, hopefully Rodney will be able to get parity with Maco and Wilko should be looking to give Matt Stephens a rough ride as well. Will be interesting to see when Johnstone and Gill come off the bench on 60 odd mins at what point Lam brings on Reily and Cooney if at all? We need the whole pack to be on at the ref to check Maco's binding and the angle of his driving.

Also I really hope someone in the squad has been designated the resident 'Winder Upper' of Owen Farrell for tomorrow night, I think our Samoan sack squeezer could be the ideal candidate for the job. (I really rate Farrell as a player but his temperament has always been a big weakness).

That Saracens line up is daunting. I don't know if it was mentioned on here already, but an article on Lam in the times yesterday (link below) alluded to the possibility that Saracens will be coming over here to prove a point, on behalf of the premiership, that teams such as Connacht shouldn't be in the competition. It's baseless, but I really hope they don't come with that mentality because it could get ugly!

www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/while-dis...-direction-1.1554143

clanman wrote:

phatguerilla wrote: Hope H-W isn't being rushed back, could be bad for his arm if the tear is only partially healed. Otherwise the team is the best that it can be, O'Halloran has been going very well this season I don't know how anyone could have a problem with him in the 23. I do hope that if Swifty starts to visibly tire he will come off rather than keeping him on as he's captain.

Do you reaaly think O'Halloran has played better than Healy, all i can think is that he's still injured.

EDIT: he wasn't on the initial list sent out earlier, thye must have updated it

Healy is a super prospect and shown he can score. Can he play fullback? cause TOH can. Can he defend as well as O'Halloran? cause TOH has saved conn as last man back a few times so far this season. He could also do a job in the centre if worst came to worst although that's not something I want to see tried against Saracens. Tbh if it were up to me I'd probably have Healy, Poolman and TOH at 15 as my first choices based on the season so far.

phatguerilla wrote: Hope H-W isn't being rushed back, could be bad for his arm if the tear is only partially healed. Otherwise the team is the best that it can be, O'Halloran has been going very well this season I don't know how anyone could have a problem with him in the 23. I do hope that if Swifty starts to visibly tire he will come off rather than keeping him on as he's captain.

Do you reaaly think O'Halloran has played better than Healy, all i can think is that he's still injured.

EDIT: he wasn't on the initial list sent out earlier, thye must have updated it

salmson wrote:

clanman wrote: Matt Healy not even on the bench which is very strange as he's not even listed as injured\unavailable. How the hell O'Halloran is ahead of him beggars belief.

Presumably because he can play fullback so Duffy can cover 12.

Healy is listed injured.

Hope H-W isn't being rushed back, could be bad for his arm if the tear is only partially healed. Otherwise the team is the best that it can be, O'Halloran has been going very well this season I don't know how anyone could have a problem with him in the 23. I do hope that if Swifty starts to visibly tire he will come off rather than keeping him on as he's captain.

Team for Tomorrow...
Posted by: PotNoodleHorn (IP Logged)
Date: 10 October, 2013 11:40

Saracens starting XV;

1.Mako Vunipola
2. Schalk Brits
3. Matt Stevens
4. Steve Borthwick ©
5. George Kruis
6. Kelly Brown
7. Will Fraser
8. Billy Vunipola
9. Neil de Kock
10. Owen Farrell
11. David Strettle
12. Chris Wyles
13. Joel Tomkins
14. Chris Ashton
15. Alex Goode

Replacements;

16. Jamie George, 17. Rhys Gill, 18. James Johnston, 19. Alastair Hargreaves, 20. Ernst Joubert, 21. Richard Wigglesworth, 22. Duncan Taylor, 23. Michael Tagicakibau.