Saracens v Saints: Teams

Saracens director of rugby Brendan Venter is relishing the chance to go up against unbeaten leaders Northampton on Sunday.

Saracens and the Saints clash three times last time on the field - as well as a few times off of it - with Venter's men twice winning at Franklin's Gardens when it mattered most.

And now Venter is targeting ending Northampton's winning start to the new season.

"Northampton Saints have made a fantastic start to the campaign," said Venter.

"They have been in great form this season and have the only unbeaten record in the Premiership, so this is a game that we are really looking forward to."

Alex Goode and Justin Melck are ruled out the match through injury, with Nils Mordt and Kelly Brown coming into the side. Don Barrell and Owen Farrell have been included on the bench.

Northampton will be without England duo Chris Ashton and Courtney Lawes for the trip to Vicarage Road.

Motivation

Ashton, who has been in superb try-scoring form, and Lawes are both rested under the EPS agreement.

However Jim Mallinder has called Mark Sorenson, Calum Clark, Paul Diggin and Joe Ansbro into the starting XV.

And Mallinder believes the clash with last season's beaten Premiership finalists will be a good test of how far his side have come.

"Last season's semi-final is a massive motivation for us," Mallinder said.

"Obviously we're in a new season and we have moved on, but you have to learn from the big games and use the experience in the future.

"Both ourselves and Saracens have brought in players, but the core squads are still in place at both clubs and we have both started the season well. Saracens have a good team that will challenge us across the field.

"However we have generated some good momentum in the past month and everyone in the squad will be putting in a massive effort on Sunday to try and continue this."

Saracens: 15 Nils Mordt, 14 David Strettle, 13 Kameli Ratuvou, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 Chris Wyles, 10 Derick Hougaard, 9 Neil de Kock, 8 Ernst Joubert, 7 Jacques Burger, 6 Kelly Brown, 5 Mouritz Botha, 4 Steve Borthwick (capt), 3 Carlos Nieto, 2 Ethienne Reynecke, 1 Deon Carstens.
Replacements: 16 Schalk Brits, 17 Matt Parr, 18 Petrus du Plessis, 19 Hayden Smith, 20 Don Barrell, 21 Richard Wigglesworth, 22 Owen Farrell, 23 Michael Tagicakibau.

Northampton: 15 Ben Foden, 14 Paul Diggin, 13 Joe Ansbro, 12 James Downey, 11 Bruce Reihana, 10 Shane Geraghty, 9 Lee Dickson, 8 Phil Dowson, 7 Tom Wood, 6 Calum Clark, 5 Christian Day, 4 Mark Sorenson, 3 Brian Mujati, 2 Dylan Hartley (capt), 1 Soane Tonga'uiha.
Replacements: 16 Brett Sharman, 17 Regardt Dreyer, 18 Tom Mercey, 19 Mark Easter, 20 Roger Wilson, 21 Ryan Powell, 22 Stephen Myler, 23 Jon Clarke.