Saracens

Club Details

Vicarage Road Stadium
Watford
Hertfordshire
WD18 OEP
 
Stadium Capacity: 22,000 (all seated)
Website: www.saracens.com
Founded: 1876

- 2006/7 Season Preview -

Last time around: The Premiership's biggest under-achievers really outdid themselves last year, conspiring to win just eight of their 22 league games - not the return expected from such a star-studded ensemble. The Heineken Cup proved to be a happier hunting ground (four wins from six games) and the Watford-based side were unlucky to go out in the pool stages. Despite a little glitter in the early part of his tenure, coach Steve Diamond turned out to be more Ratners then Tiffany and he was duly dispatched. Former Australia coach Eddie Jones was summoned on a short-term contract and Sarries managed to save themselves from the dreaded drop by putting together a few wins.

This time? It's all about confidence and the importance of a good start cannot be overstated. A bash at the European Challenge Cup should install a little self-belief - Glasgow Warriors, Narbonne and GRAN Parma don't form the scariest proposition imaginable. This publication tends to tip these guys at the start of every season, only for these guys to leave us red-faced by the end of every season. Can they make good this time? Who knows? On paper they look like world-beaters, but we all know that rugby isn't played on paper. Still, the arrival of high-achieving coach Alan Gaffney could add the impetus that this club has long lacked.

Coach: Saracens should have some steel about them under Alan Gaffney's direction. The affable Australian began his coaching career with Randwick Club in 1984, a club he graced as a player. His talents were recognised by the New South Wales Rugby Union who made him U21s coach in 1996. He then became the Waratahs assistant coach in 1997 and after a two-year spell moved to Ireland and Leinster. His time with the Irish province coincided with success for the team as they won the Celtic League in 2001/02 and were quarter-finalists in the Heineken Cup the same season. After two years with Leinster, he moved to Munster and oversaw one of the most successful periods in their history. In his three seasons with the province, they won the Celtic League, Celtic Cup and were twice semi-finalists in the Heineken Cup. In 2005, former Australia coach Eddie Jones employed Gaffney as backs coach to the Wallabies. The departure of Jones in the same year saw Gaffney leave his post but the duo were briefly reunited when Jones was with Saracens as a consultant at the end of the 2005/06 season. He took complete control of team affairs at the start of the 2006/07 campaign.

Captain: Hugh Vyvyan leads from the back row very much in the mould of Lawrence Dallaglio, mainly because he is the same sort of player with the same physical stature. Few words - and few survivors - when he sets out on the field, Vyvyan is instrumental in keeping his troops on the front foot.

One to watch: Saracens would benefit with a kick up their collective backside and the injection of a little latin passion would not go amiss. So step forward Fabio Ongaro - the arrival of the Italy hooker should stoke the fires. Meanwhile, we all still waiting for Andy Farrell's debut in XVs, and he'll be urge to dispell the creeping suspicion that he's just a humongous white elephant in disguise. Ross Laidlaw will provide the youthful exuberance, whilst Richard Hill looks set to return from injury in October. Forget Jonny and Johnno, this man was the real hero of England's RWC win in 2003. But will he still have the head for these heights?

Final 2006/7 league position prediction: 7th
totalbet.com prediction (29/8): 20-1 to finish first 

In: Cencus Johnson (Biarritz, France), Fabio Ongaro (Treviso, Italy), Paul Gustard (London Irish), Ross Laidlaw (London Irish), Rodd Penny (London Irish), Tomas de Vedia (San Isidro), Kameli Ratuvou (Fiji), Pelu Taele-Pavihi (Otago, NZ).

Out: Kyran Bracken (retired), Taine Randell (retired) Mark Bartholomeusz (Ulster, Ireland), Steffon Armitage (London Irish), Paul Bailey (Montauban, France), Ben J Russell (released), Emmanuel Amapakabo (released).

Colours: Black and red

Tickets: £6-25

Travel connections: Saracens lies in a tricky and traffic-ridden area of London that is probably best served by rail links from London city. Either the Metropolitan underground line or the North London railways local trains stop at Watford Junction station, from which Vicarage Road is a 15-20 minute walk.