Saracens v Gloucester: Teams
Saracens boss Mark McCall insists his side can't wait for Sunday's Aviva Premiership play-off with Gloucester.
By Tony Curtis - Twitter: @SkySportsTC
Last Updated: 13/05/11 4:54pm
Saracens boss Mark McCall insists his side can't wait for Sunday's Aviva Premiership play-off with Gloucester.
Sarries sealed home advantage in the semi-finals after their second-placed finish over the regular season.
And although they will face an in-form Gloucester outfit, McCall claims his side are relishing the challenge ahead.
"The excitement surrounding this game has been clearly evident around the training ground this week," said McCall.
"It's a match in which everyone wants to be involved and all have played their part in a fantastic week of preparation - from those behind the scenes to those who were not selected and of course, the 23 who will take the field.
"Gloucester are a very good side but the result of the game at Vicarage Road last month is irrelevant. We know that we will be facing a very different opponent, but it's a challenge we are looking forward to and we can't wait to get out on the pitch."
McCall has made three changes to his line-up, with England internationals Steve Borthwick and Richard Wigglesworth and Scotland forward Kelly Brown coming into the side.
Disappointing
Gloucester have also made three changes for the clash - with Freddie Burns, Tim Molenaar and Jim Hamilton handed places in the starting XV.
And with Saracens the favourites after 11 straight wins - including a victory over the Cherry and Whites - coach Bryan Redpath knows his side will have to raise their game once again.
"Sunday is huge for us," he said. "We're aware of that and we've achieved some good things this season. But we want to improve upon the performance down there of three weeks ago.
"We were disappointing that day. Credit to Saracens, they're very efficient and a very workmanlike side. They get some stick but they work hard for each other so we have to fight in every aspect of the game."
Saracens: 15 Alex Goode, 14 David Strettle, 13 Chris Wyles, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 James Short, 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Richard Wigglesworth, 8 Ernst Joubert, 7 Jacques Burger, 6 Kelly Brown, 5 Mouritz Botha, 4 Steve Borthwick (capt), 3 Carlos Nieto, 2 Schalk Brits, 1 Matt Stevens.
Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Rhys Gill, 18 Petrus du Plessis, 19 Hugh Vyvyan, 20 Andy Saull, 21 Neil de Kock, 22 Nils Mordt, 23 Noah Cato.
Gloucester: 15 Freddie Burns, 14 Charlie Sharples, 13 Tim Molenaar, 12 Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu, 11 James Simpson-Daniel, 10 Nicky Robinson, 9 Rory Lawson, 8 Luke Narraway (capt), 7 Akapusi Qera, 6 Alasdair Strokosch, 5 Alex Brown, 4 Jim Hamilton, 3 Paul Doran-Jones, 2 Scott Lawson, 1 Nick Wood.
Replacements: 16 Darren Dawidiuk, 17 Alasdair Dickinson, 18 Rupert Harden, 19 Dave Attwood, 20 Brett Deacon, 21 Dave Lewis, 22 Jonny May, 23 Tom Voyce.