Saracens v Leicester: Teams
Saracens boss Brendan Venter insists his side must raise their standards once again when they tackle reigning champions Leicester.
Last Updated: 01/10/10 1:31pm
Saracens director of rugby Brendan Venter insists his side must raise their standards once again when they tackle reigning champions Leicester.
Saracens lost out to the Tigers in last season's Premiership final - and Venter knows that the visitors have set the standards for others to match.
"I was delighted with the effort and commitment of the players last weekend against Northampton Saints and we adapted so well to the difficult playing conditions. Now we face another tough match against Leicester who have set the benchmark to which we all must aim," said Venter.
"It's only been a few months since we last met on the biggest of stages, but that is in the past. Leicester will give us nothing on Sunday and we must be at the top of our game and increase our levels of intensity once again to get the result we want."
Venter has made six changes for the clash with Richard Wigglesworth, Schalk Brits, Hugh Vyvyan, Michael Tagicakibau, Nils Mordt and Petrus du Plessis coming into the starting XV.
On the bench England U20s hooker Jamie George has been called up while Andy Saull is set for his first appearance of the season after recovering from a broken hand.
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Tigers boss Richard Cockerill goes into the game with renewed confidence after the big win over Leeds.
Injuries and stuttering form have hampered Leicester so far this season, but the champions showed signs of rediscovering their form as they took apart Carnegie.
"We were much better against Leeds last week in terms of ball control and decision-making," said Cockerill.
"Saracens have started the season pretty well but we go there in good spirits. We've had a few injuries in the opening weeks of the season, but the guys who have been playing have taken their chance and they've been playing well.
"We've also been able to bring in some fresh legs this weekend and rotate some of the squad which is important too in a long season."
Cockerill has handed Horacio Agulla and Rob Hawkins their first starts for the club, but George Chuter, Ben Youngs, Geordan Murphy, Alesana Tuilagi, Ben Woods and Thomas Waldrom are rested.
With Toby Flood and Jeremy Staunton injured, teenage fly-half George Ford is named on the bench alongside summer signing Lee Robinson.
Saracens: 15 Chris Wyles, 14 David Strettle, 13 Kameli Ratuvou, 12 Nils Mordt, 11 Michael Tagicakibau, 10 Derick Hougaard, 9 Richard Wigglesworth, 8 Ernst Joubert, 7 Jacques Burger, 6 Kelly Brown, 5 Hugh Vyvyan, 4 Steve Borthwick (capt), 3 Petrus du Plessis, 2 Schalk Brits, 1 Deon Carstens.
Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Matt Parr, 18 Carlos Nieto, 19 Mouritz Botha, 20 Andy Saull, 21 Neil de Kock, 22 Brad Barritt, 23 Adam Powell.
Leicester: 15 Lucas Amorosino, 14 Scott Hamilton, 13 Dan Hipkiss, 12 Matt Smith, 11 Horacio Agulla, 10 Billy Twelvetrees, 9 James Grindal, 8 Ben Pienaar, 7 Craig Newby, 6 Tom Croft (capt), 5 George Skivington, 4 Ed Slater, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Rob Hawkins, 1 Boris Stankovich.
Replacements: 16 Joe Duffey, 17 Martin Castrogiovanni, 18 Julian White, 19 Steve Mafi, 20 Ben Woods, 21 Sam Harrison, 22 George Ford, 23 Lee Robinson.