Saracens v Biarritz - Teams

Saracens will look to move a step closer to clinching a first ever quarter-final berth in the Heineken Cup when they host Biarritz on Saturday.

The top two in Pool Four clash at Vicarage Road knowing a defeat for either side would make qualification difficult.

Sarries currently top the group, sitting two points clear of their French rivals.

However, while Biarritz host whipping boys Viadana in the final round of matches, the Guinness Premiership outfit face a potentially tricky trip to Glasgow.

So, with the chance of pushing further clear at the top, Saracens coach Alan Gaffney knows a win this weekend is crucial.

"The equations are pretty simple on Saturday," he said. "If we win we have a great chance of making the quarter-finals while Biarritz know they have to win or face being knocked out of the tournament.

"But we know they have a quality team who can get results. We outscored them three tries to one in our match earlier in the campaign in France but they played to their strengths and won with the last kick of the game."

Shuffled pack

Gaffney has decided to shuffle his pack for the crunch clash, recalling Cencus Johnston, Nick Lloyd, Hugh Vyvyan and Kris Chesney.

The only change in the back division sees Richard Haughton come in to start on the wing.

Biarritz travel to England knowing they cannot afford to lose after they were beaten on the road in Glasgow last time out.

They will be hoping for a repeat result of the first meeting of the two sides this season when they came out 22-21 winners.

France international Jerome Thion captains a side that is packed full with talent, including compatriot Damien Traille in the centres. Serge Betsen has to make do with a seat on the bench.

Saracens: 15 Brent Russell, 14 Richard Haughton, 13 Kevin Sorrell, 12 Andy Farrell, 11 Rodd Penney, 10 Glen Jackson, 9 Neil de Kock; 1 Nick Lloyd, 2 Fabio Ongaro, 3 Cencus Johnson, 4 Chris Jack, 5 Hugh Vyvyan, 6 Kris Chesney, 7 Richard Hill, 8 Ben Skirving
Replacements: 16 Andy Kyriacou, 17 Tom Mercey, 18 Tom Ryder, 19 Paul Gustard, 20 Alan Dickens, 21 Adam Powell, 22 Kameli Ratuvou.

Biarritz: 15 Nicolas Brusque, 14 Philippe Bidabe, 13 Romain Cabannes, 12 Damien Traille, 11 Takudzwa Ngwenya, 10 Julien Peyrelongue, 9 Julien Dupuy; 1 Petru Balan, 2 Benoit August, 3 Denis Avril, 4 Jerome Thion (capt), 5 Trevor Hall, 6 Samiu Vahafolau, 7 Imanol Harinordoquy, 8 Jacques Cronje
Replacements: 16 Benjamin Noirot, 17 Benoit Lecouls, 18 Steve Malonga, 19 Serge Betsen, 20 Fabien Cibray, 21 Andrea Masi, 22 Benjamin Thiery