Saracens v L Irish: Teams

London Irish make the short trip to Saracens looking to maintain their place at the top of the Guinness Premiership in the final round of fixtures in 2008.

The Exiles go out on the road full of confidence having hammered Gloucester last Saturday, a result that put them two points clear of the rest.

They have won six on the spin since suffering losses to Leicester and Bath in successive weeks, including a 27-14 triumph over their opponents this weekend back on November 23.

However, head coach Toby Booth, who has made three alterations to the starting XV, has warned his team not to take Sarries lightly.

Unlucky

"Having watched last week's match between London Wasps and Saracens, I thought our opponents tomorrow were very unlucky to lose," he told the club's website.

"Saracens have experienced individuals in all key positions and a top quality director of rugby and coaching staff. We will have to match the standards we set to get to this point if we are to maintain our momentum."

Irish will bid to extend their unbeaten run without full-back Delon Armitage, who is ruled out with a foot injury picked up against the Cherry and Whites.

Peter Hewat takes over at 15 in place of the sidelined England international, meaning Shane Geraghty starts at fly-half.

Flanker Declan Danaher, a try-scorer off the bench against Gloucester, is included in front of Richard Thorpe who will start on the bench alongside player-coach Mike Catt.

Saracens will be aiming to knock their capital rivals off their perch in front of a near sell-out crowd at Vicarage Road.

Director of rugby Eddie Jones knows Sarries, who lost to Wasps last Saturday, will have their work cut out against the current league leaders.

Quality players

"London Irish are going pretty well and when we played them earlier in the season, it was another game where we conceded late on," the former Australia coach said.

"We know they have some quality players and we have to guard against making mistakes against them. They are a side who love to play off your turnover ball so our focus is to remain patient and concentrate on our own game.

"We have to keep working hard and smart. There should be a fantastic atmosphere inside the stadium with a near sold out crowd expected for what should be a terrific game of rugby."

Jones has decided to select prop Nick Lloyd in place of Matias Aguero while Andy Saull and Adam Powell have also been handed places in the starting XV.

Saull's selection in the second row means Ben Skirving has to settle for a seat on the bench. Andy Farrell is also named amongst the replacements after losing his spot in the centres.

London Irish: 15 Peter Hewat, 14 Topsy Ojo, 13 Elvis Seveali'i, 12 Seilala Mapusua*, 11 Sailosi Tagicakibau, 10 Shane Geraghty, 9 Paul Hodgson; 1 Clarke Dermody, 2 David Paice, 3 Tonga Lea'aetoa, 4 James Hudson, 5 Bob Casey, 6 Declan Danaher, 7 Steffon Armitage, 8. Chris Hala'Ufia
Replacements: 16 Dan Murphy, 17 James Buckland, 18 Kieran Roche, 19 Richard Thorpe, 20 James Bailey, 21 Alfredo Lalanne, 22 Mike Catt

Saracens: 15 Alex Goode, 14 Kameli Ratuvou, 13 Kevin Sorrell, 12 Adam Powell, 11 Noah Cato, 10 Glen Jackson, 9 Neil de Kock; 1 Nick Lloyd, 2 Fabio Ongaro, 3 Cencus Johnston, 4 Steve Borthwick (capt), 5 Chris Jack, 6 Wikus van Heerden, 7 Andy Saull, 8 Michael Owen
Replacements: 16 Andy Kyriacou, 17 Cobus Visagie, 18 Hugh Vyvyan, 19 Ben Skirving, 20 Moses Rauluni, 21 Andy Farrell, 22 Rodd Penney