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Latest Team news ahead of NEC Harlequins v Saracens
12 Nov at The Stoop KO 19:45
NEC Harlequins Team News
NEC Harlequins make one change to the team that started against London Wasps last Friday (5th November) for the Zurich Premiership game against Saracens at the Stoop tomorrow night (12th November), kick-off 7.45pm.
With Will Greenwood away on international duty, Mel Deane returns to the midfield and partners Dafydd James in the centre. It will be Deane's first start since the game against Northampton Saints on 11th September, when he suffered a knee injury that kept him out of action for five weeks.
His place on the bench is taken by Ugo Monye, who has recovered from a calf strain that has forced him to miss the last four games.
Also amongst the replacements is Quins latest signing Simon Maling, though the clubs other new recruit Geo Cronje wasn't available for selection due to a knee injury.
"Clearly, it is extremely disappointing and frustrating for all connected with the club that our performances in recent weeks have not been rewarded with more than a draw against Castres in the Heineken Cup and three bonus points in the Zurich Premiership for narrow defeats against Gloucester, Leicester Tigers and London Wasps," said Mark Evans, NEC Harlequins Chief Executive.
"Saracens is the first of three hugely important league fixtures in November, the outcome of which will go a long way to shaping the rest of our Premiership campaign. Making the most of home advantage is essential both tomorrow and against Leeds Tykes in a fortnight's time (Sunday 28th November)."
The full team is as follows:
15. Tom Williams
14. George Harder
13. Dafydd James
12. Mel Deane
11. Simon Keogh
10. Jeremy Staunton
9. Steve So'oialo
1. Mike Worsley
2. Tani Fuga
3. Ceri Jones
4. Roy Winters
5. Simon Miall
6. Nick Easter
7. Andre Vos (Capt.)
8. Tony Diprose
Replacements:
16. James Hayter
17. Jon Dawson
18. Simon Maling
19. Luke Sherriff
20. Andy Dunne
21. Ugo Monye
22. Gavin Duffy
Saracens Team News
Saracens Head Coach Rod Kafer makes four changes to his starting line-up for Friday's game against Harlequins at The Stoop.
Fly-half Glen Jackson is given a full debut while also into the starting line-up come Iain Fullarton, Raphael Ibanez and Nick Lloyd.
With Hugh Vyvyan away on international duty with England, Kris Chesney switches to the No.8 position and the side will be captained by Taine Randell.
Alex Sanderson is named as a replacement for his first appearance of the season while Cobus Visagie is also named on the bench along with Mark Bartholomeusz and Matt Cairns.
Saracens Team vs Harlequins
15 Robbie Kydd
14 Richard Haughton
13 Ben Johnston
12 Dan Harris
11 Tevita Vaikona
10 Glen Jackson
9 Moses Rauluni
1 Nick Lloyd
2 Raphael Ibanez
3 Ben Broster
4 Iain Fullarton
5 Simon Raiwalui
6 Taine Randell (c)
7 Dave Seymour
8 Kris Chesney
Replacements
16 Matt Cairns
17 Cobus Visagie
18 Alex Sanderson
19 Ben Skirving
20 Morgan Williams
21 Mark Bartholomeusz
22 Paul Bailey
Summary of meetings between the teams in the Premiership
Played 14
NEC Harlequins Won 6 42.9%
Saracens Won 8 57.1%
Drawn 0 0%
Biggest Win for NEC Harlequins 43 - 6 16 Nov 2001
Biggest Win for Saracens 50 - 10 24 Apr 2000
NEC Harlequins top try scorer vs Saracens Matt Moore 4 tries
NEC Harlequins top points scorer vs Saracens Paul Burke 92 points
Saracens top try scorer vs NEC Harlequins Brendon Daniel 3 tries
Saracens top points scorer vs NEC Harlequins Andy Goode 62 points
Previous Premiership Meetings
07 Feb 2004 ZP NEC Harlequins vs Saracens 12 - 10 The Stoop
05 Oct 2003 ZP NEC Harlequins vs Saracens 33 - 39 Vicarage Road
30 Nov 2002 ZP NEC Harlequins vs Saracens 36 - 32 The Stoop
10 Nov 2002 ZP NEC Harlequins vs Saracens 30 - 36 Vicarage Road
30 Dec 2001 ZP NEC Harlequins vs Saracens 25 - 39 Vicarage Road
16 Nov 2001 ZP NEC Harlequins vs Saracens 43 - 6 The Stoop
27 Dec 2000 ZP NEC Harlequins vs Saracens 14 - 30 The Stoop
17 Dec 2000 ZP NEC Harlequins vs Saracens 18 - 26 Vicarage Road
24 Apr 2000 ZP NEC Harlequins vs Saracens 10 - 50 Vicarage Road
25 Sep 1999 ZP NEC Harlequins vs Saracens 33 - 24 The Stoop
Harlequins are still to break their win duck this season following another narrow defeat at the Causeway Stadium last Friday. In their last five games in all competitions the Quins have picked up four losing bonus points and secured a draw, but they have now lost nine Premiership matches in a row (eight this season) for the worst run in their league history.
Saracens collected just nine league points from their first five matches but have almost doubled that tally in their last three following a win against Northampton, a draw at Newcastle and a two point loss “at home” to Bath at Franklin’s Gardens.
The last six Zurich Premiership meetings between the two have gone with home field advantage, whilst Saracens last win at the Stoop came in December 2000.
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