Northampton v Saracens: Teams

Bonorino: Back for the Saints

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Northampton director of rugby Jim Mallinder admits his side faces an uphill battle in trying to stop Saracens in the LV= Cup.

Sarries are yet to lose in England this season and currently top the Guinness Premiership.

And despite having their own impressive record at home, Mallinder is expecting a difficult match.

"Brendan Venter has put together a squad whose efficient style of rugby has taken them to the top of the Guinness Premiership table with seven wins out of seven," said Mallinder.

"Saracens know how to win games and with either Glen Jackson or Derick Hougaard at fly half they have players who will punish us if we concede penalties within kicking distance.

They might be playing South Africa next week, but that doesn't mean that we will play a weak team tomorrow as they have plenty of strength-in-depth.

"However our players have been putting in plenty of hard work this week and have been enthusiastic in their preparations for the match. They want success and are determined for a positive result at Franklin's Gardens."

Mallinder has included Juandre Kruger and Santiago Bonorino in his line-up after the pair recovered from injury.

Debuts

Saracens will hand full debuts to prop Kasiano Lealamanua, second row George Kruis and wing James Short for the clash.

England U20s hooker Jamie George is also in line to make his debut after he was named on the bench, while Alex Goode, Don Barrell, Noah Cato, Carlos Nieto, Andy Saull and Jackson Wray are named in the starting XV.

And with Hayden Smith, Chris Wyles, Matias Aguero, Fabio Ongaro, Moses Rauluni, Adam Powell, Tom Ryder and Justin Marshall are unavailable, Saracens coach Mark McCall is looking for the new faces to shine.

McCall said: "We have said all along that every game is important and we are expecting this group of players to have the same intensity every week.

"Some players have been handed their first opportunity this week but it's a chance they deserve after excellent performances in the Saracens Storm. We've got a good mix of youth and experience for what will be a tough game against a very good Saints side."

Northampton Saints: 15 Ben Foden, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Jon Clarke, 12 James Downey, 11 Bruce Reihana, 10 Stephen Myler, 9 Lee Dickson, 8 Roger Wilson, 7 Scott Gray, 6 Phil Dowson (capt), 5 Juandre Kruger, 4 Christian Day, 3 Santiago Bonorino, 2 Brett Sharman, 1 Soane Tonga'uiha.
Replacements: 16 Joe Gray, 17 Jon Vickers, 18 Alex Waller, 19 James Cannon, 20 Mark Hopley, 21 Alan Dickens, 22 Barry Everitt, 23 Joe Ansbro.

Saracens: 15 Richard Haughton, 14 Noah Cato, 13 Rodd Penney, 12 Kevin Sorrell, 11 James Short, 10 Alex Goode, 9 Kevin Barrett, 8 Jackson Wray, 7 Andy Saull, 6 Don Barrell, 5 Mouritz Botha, 4 George Kruis, 3 Carlos Nieto, 2 Ethienne Reynecke (c), 1 Kasiano Lealamanua.
Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Rhys Gill, 18 Tom Mercey, 19 Hugh Vyvyan, 20 Justin Melck, 21 Neil de Kock, 22 Owen Farrell, 23 Kameli Ratuvou.