Saracens have opted for experience in their Premiership semi-final against Northampton
Last Updated: 22/05/15 4:53pm
Jacques Burger and Petrus Du Plessis join the centurion club as they start in Saracens' semi-final against Northampton.
The southern African pair is named in a strong Saracens side for their trip to Franklin's Gardens on Saturday.
Du Plessis will pack down alongside hooker Jamie George, who is preferred to Schalk Brits in the front row, with the latter occupying a place among the substitutes.
Captain Alistair Hargreaves once again joins George Kruis in the second row, with Maro Itoje starting at blindside flank ahead of Jackson Wray.
England international Brad Barritt makes a return to the Saracens backline, coming into the side at inside centre, with Chris Wyles shifting to wing at the expense of Chris Ashton who takes his place on the bench.
Barritt will partner Duncan Taylor in the midfield, with Taylor replacing Marcelo Bosch who started in Saracens' 68-17 demolition of London Welsh last week.
Half-back pairing Neil de Kock and Owen Farrell both retain their jerseys from last week.
Meanwhile Northampton have opted for 11 changes, including one positional switch, to the team that lost 22-14 to Leicester last week.
There are five changes to the backline, with Jamie Elliott moving from the right wing to the left - he is replaced by Ken Pisi. Pisi's brother George takes the No 13 jersey and will partner England international Luther Burrell in the midfield.
The final change to the backline sees Stephen Myler come into the side at fly-half, at the expense of James Wilson who drops to the bench.
The only forwards to keep their places after the trip to Welford Road are the two props Alex Corbisiero and Salesi Ma'afu. They are joined in the front row by Dylan Hartley who captains the side at hooker.
Courtney Lawes and Christian Day pair up in the second row while it's an all-new back row comprising of Tom Wood, Calum Clark and No 8 Samu Manoa.
Northampton: 15 Ahsee Tuala, 14 Ken Pisi, 13 George Pisi, 12 Luther Burrell, 11 Jamie Elliott, 10 Stephen Myler, 9 Lee Dickson, 1 Alex Corbisiero, 2 Dylan Hartley (c), 3 Salesi Ma'afu, 4 Courtney Lawes, 5 Christian Day, 6 Tom Wood, 7 Calum Clark, 8 Samu Manoa.
Replacements: 16 Mike Haywood, 17 Alex Waller, 18 Gareth Denman, 19 Sam Dickinson, 20 Jon Fisher, 21 Kahn Fotuali'i, 22 Tom Stephenson.
Saracens: 15 Alex Goode, 14 Chris Wyles, 13 Duncan Taylor, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 David Strettle, 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Richard Wigglesworth, 1 Mako Vunipola, 2 Jamie George, 3 Petrus Du Plessis, 4 George Kruis, 5 Alistair Hargreaves (c), 6 Maro Itoje, 7 Jacques Burger, 8 Billy Vunipola.
Replacements: 16 Schalk Brits, 17 Richard Barrington, 18 Juan Figallo, 19 Jim Hamilton, 20 Jackson Wray, 21 Neil de Kock, 22 Charlie Hodgson, 23 Chris Ashton.
