Hazell out of Saracens clash
Andy Hazell has failed to recover from a head injury in time to face the Sarries.
Saracens v Gloucester
Guinness Premiership, Vicarage Road, Sunday January 8, KO 13.30PM
Andy Hazell has failed to recover in time for Gloucester's trip to Saracens on Sunday.
Head coach Dean Ryan had hoped to have his dynamic back row fit for the Vicarage Road encounter, but doctors have ruled that Hazell requires time to recover from the head injury sustained against Leeds Tykes.
Better news surrounds the availability of Jake Boer, who has recovered from an ankle knock and moves to openside to fill the void left by Hazell.
Mike Tindall has also been given the nod to start, after he shook off a neck injury to prove his fitness in training ahead of Sunday's clash.
Boer's switch to number seven sees Peter Buxton drafted in at blindside in one of three changes to the Cherry-and-Whites' starting line-up.
Elsewhere, Patrice Collazo slots into the front row next to Mefin Davies and Phil Vickery, whilst young talent Jonathan Pendlebury partners Alex Brown in the line-out.
Captain Adam Balding, who committed himself to the club for another two years this week, admits his team are faced with a stiff task in front of the Sky cameras.
"We know we are capable of winning but it will be a very tough game. Saracens have got some big men, are exceptionally competitive and have a very good home record," Balding told the Gloucester website.
"This is a hugely important game for both teams, particularly with the Six Nations just around the corner. Although we beat Leeds last Saturday, it was a disappointing performance in many ways and something we are desperate to put right this weekend."
Saracens are able to call on some of their big guns as they look to halt a run that has seen them lose five out of the last six games.
Thomas Castaignede is the big inclusion in the first XV, and the creative Frenchman will start at outside centre alongside Kevin Sorrell.
Also in Sunday's line-up is Taine Randell, who comes into the side alongside club captain Hugh Vyvyan in the back row.
Randell's inclusion sees highly-rated number eight Ben Skirving move to the bench, as club director Steve Diamond opts for experience over youth.
Further changes involve the return of Simon Raiwalui, Matt Cairns and Hamish Mitchell, although head coach Mike Ford believes the game could be won by the seven replacements.
"We've said throughout the season that it's a 22-man game and replacements have just an important role to play in the match," stated Ford.
"The bench can have a massive effect on the game and Ben, Shane and the other replacements will need to play their part as will Adam Powell, who is unlucky not to keep his place in the starting team following his performance at Leicester."
Saracens: 15 Dan Scarbrough, 14 Ben Johnston, 13 Thomas Castaignede, 12 Kevin Sorrell, 11 Tevita Vaikona, 10 Glen Jackson, 9 Alan Dickens, 1 Kevin Yates, 2 Matt Cairns, 3 Hamish Mitchell, 4 Simon Raiwalui, 5 Kris Chesney, 6 Taine Randell, 7 Ben T Russell, 8 Hugh Vyvyan
Replacements: 16 Shane Byrne, 17 Ben Broster, 18 David Seymour, 19 Ben Skirving, 20 Moses Rauluni, 21 Nicky Little, 22 Adam Powell
Gloucester team: 15 Olly Morgan; 14 James Bailey, 13 James Simpson-Daniel, 12 Mike Tindall, 11 Mark Foster; 10 Ludovic Mercier, 9 Peter Richards; 1 Patrice Collazo, 2 Mefin Davies, 3 Phil Vickery (capt), 4 Jonathan Pendlebury, 5 Alex Brown, 6 Peter Buxton, 7 Jake Boer, 8 Adam Balding
Replacements: Terry Sigley, Rob Elloway, Adam Eustace, James Merriman, Haydn Thomas, Terry Fanolua, Brad Davies.
