Depleted Wasps pack face tough afternoon at Saracens

Premiership
BT Sport 2, 3pm Saturday

Wasps fly-half Jimmy Gopperth said this week his team need to "throw everything they've got" at Saracens, but everything they've got is a lot less than usual thanks to some significant injuries.

Sarries are aiming to match leaders Exeter stride for stride at the top of the table, but while the Devon side opted not to include their returning internationals for Friday's trip to Harlequins, the champions include seven of their nine players who were in Test action last week.

That includes Test Lions Maro Itoje and Jamie George in a strong pack that looks to have too much in the set piece for their opponents.

While England pair Brad Shields and Nathan Hughes are back in Wasps colours, the visitors are missing forwards Ashley Johnson, Thomas Young, James Gaskell, Tom Cruse and Jake Cooper-Woolley. Antonio Harris makes his first Premiership start at hooker, with academy prospect Gabriel Oghre on the bench, while Nottingham tighthead Mike Daniels is also among the front row replacements.

Saracens are still without some long-term injured forwards, notably the Vunipola brothers, but boast far more depth to their squad and also have Nick Isiekwe and Juan Figallo back from injuries.

So the home side look to have a clear advantage up front, and while Wasps still have plenty of cutting edge in their backline, opportunities may be limited if their forwards can't win enough ball.

Solid rather than spectacular would best sum up Saracens' record in this campaign, after they absolutely tore apart all comers in the final weeks of last season. They have started every match as favourites but covered the handicap in only four of eight, and only once by a double-figure margin.

But a handicap in the mid-teens should be within their compass in what could turn into a high-scoring game.

Away from the cameras Northampton are five-point favourites at home to Newcastle, who finally landed a second league win last week against Bath after a string of promising performances, and Gloucester give up 12 points at home to Worcester.

Recommendation
Saracens -14
2pts 10-11 general

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