May 26, 2011

Aviva Premiership Final: The key men

Aviva Premiership RSS / Editor / 26 May 2011 / Leave a Comment

Schalk Brits can dominate the scrum for Saracens

Schalk Brits can dominate the scrum for Saracens

"Their current form and two wins over the Tigers this season suggests the value lies with Sarries."

Rugby writer and Sarries expert Simon Franklin provides the lowdown on the key men who he believes could determine thefate of the Aviva Premiership...

Saracens meet champions Leicester Tigers in a Premiership final rematch on Saturday at Twickenham and it 's shaping up to be another gripping encounter. Last season's showdown was a classic confrontation as the Tigers won 33-27 and this one should be equally close.

The Men in Black come into the game on a 12-match winning run, which included a victory at Welford Road two months ago, but they still start the match as 13-8 outsiders. Their current form and two wins over the Tigers this season suggests the value lies with Sarries [2.66].

One of their key men will be fly-half Owen Farrell. The son of rugby league legend Andy has been the surprise package this season. It will be his first appearance at Twickenham but the 19-year-old's maturity and exceptional kicking game won't let him down. He should be nailed on as Sarries' top points scorer in a team which doesn't score many tries.

Ernst Joubert scored twice in their defeat to the Tigers last year and also claimed a try in their season opener against London Irish at Twickenham so he clearly loves playing at the stadium. At decent odds, he could be worth a bet to score during the final.

Schalk Brits is their eye-catching hooker with the ability of a world class back. The crowd pleaser also scored against the Exiles at Twickenham and will be keen to guide Sarries to their first major trophy for 13 years. Brits is a potential man-of-the-match this weekend.

The Tigers [1.65] won't give up their title easily and Ben Youngs is crucial to their chances. The England scrum half, who has the most assists in the league, has the talent to dominate the match. He scored a try in a virtuoso display last year and the occasion should help him return to his best form. He looks likely to rival Brits for the man-of-the-match.

Alesana Tuilagi
is this year's top Premiership scorer with 13 tries and he can add to that tally this weekend. Sarries have conceded the fewest points this season but the giant winger is unstoppable on his day and will surely cross the whitewash on Saturday.

England fly-half Toby Flood is another proven match winner for the champions. His form has been patchy recently but he will be keen to impress as the build up to the World Cup continues. His experience will be an asset and he is set to battle with Farrell for top points scorer in the final.

Ralph Ellis believes that Mark McCall will use a perceived injustice to fire his men up for Saturday's big match. And if they get the bit between their teeth, they could prove unstoppable......

Unexpected away wins have been a feature of the Aviva Premiership semi-finals in recent years but Geoffrey Riddle is not expecting that trend to continue this year...

Newcastle and Leeds are fighting for their lives as Geoffrey Riddle discusses the big matches and best bets on the final weekend of Premiership action....


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