Match Details
Competition: European Champions Cup Pool 4, Round 6.
Venue: Allianz Park, London.
Time and Date: 13:00, Sunday 19/01/2020.
Weather Forecast: 6°C. Sunny. Wind 9 km/h.
Permutations
Saracens require a bonus point win to ensure qualification for the quarter-final stage as one of the highest ranked second place teams.
Racing 92 have already guaranteed a quarter-final berth, however, a high scoring win would ensure a home quarter-final.
Team Lineups
Saracens: Elliot Daly, Sean Maitland, Duncan Taylor, Brad Barritt (capt), Rotimi Segun, Owen Farrell, Ben Spencer, Mako Vunipola, Jamie George, Vincent Koch, Mario Itoje, George Kruis, Jackson Wray, Ben Earl, Billy Vunipola.
Replacements: Jack Singleton, Richard Barrington, Titi Lamositele, Will Skelton, Calum Clark, Tom Whiteley, Alex Lozowski, Alex Lewington.
Racing 92: Brice Dulin, Louis Dupichot, Virimi Vakatawa, Henry Chavancy (capt), Juan Imhoff, Finn Russell, Teddy Iribaren, Eddy Ben Arous, Teddy Baubigny, Cedate Gomes Sa, Donnacha Ryan, Boris Palu, Wenceslas Lauret, Bernard Le Roux, Yoan Tanga-Mangene.
Replacements: Kevin Le Guen, Hassane Kolingar, Ali Oz, Fabien Sanconnie, Baptiste Chouzenoux, Maxime Machenaud, Francois Trinh-Duc, Olivier Klemenczak.
Squad Details
Saracens
- Jamie George (Prop), Mako Vunipola (Prop), Mario Itoje (Lock), George Kruis (Lock), Billy Vunipola (Back Row), Ben Spencer (Scrum Half), Owen Farrell (Fly-Half), and Elliot Daly (Full-Back) were all involved for England in the 2019 World Cup in Japan.
- Vincent Koch (Prop) was a member of the 2019 South African World Cup winning team.
- Nick Tompkins (Centre) was named in the Welsh Six Nations Squad.
- Sean Maitland (Winger) was named in the Scottish Six Nations squad.
- Welsh international Liam Williams (Full-Back) is out injured.
- Rhys Carre (Prop) is suspended.
Racing 92
- Camille Chat (Prop), Bernard Le Roux (Lock), Boris Palu (Lock), Romain Taofifenua (Lock), Virimi Vakatawa (Centre), and Teddy Thomas (Winger) were named in the French Six Nations squad.
- Finn Russell was named in the Scottish Six Nations squad.
- Ben Tameifuna (Prop) was part of the Tongan 2019 World Cup Squad.
- Simon Zebo (Full-Back) is out injured.
Form
Saracens
Saracens have won four out of their last five matches, with their latest triumph coming last week away at Ospreys in a hard-fought battle where Rhys Carre was sent off in the 4th minute. Saracens have won five in a row at home and their last defeat at Allianz Park was a 25 – 27 loss to Northampton on 19/10/2019.
In the European Champions Cup this season, Saracens have won 3, lost 2, and picked up 2 bonus points along the way. They currently lie in second position, 8 points behind Racing 92.
In the Premiership, it’s looking increasingly likely that Saracens will be relegated due to a technicality.
Racing 92
Racing 92 have won five out of their last five matches, with their latest win coming last week at home to Munster. Racing 92 demonstrated their their potential as tournament winners as they pulled away in style in the final ten minutes.
Racing 92’s away form has been erratic this season, having played 8, won 4, lost 3, and drawn 1. They have won their last 2 games away from home.
In the European Champions Cup this season, Racing 92 have won 4 and drawn 1. The drawn game came away at Munster where the Irishmen scored a try in the final 5 minutes to share the points. They currently lie in first place, 8 points ahead of Saracens.
In the Top 14, Racing 92 currently lie in 5th position, 15 points off the leaders, but are still in contention to qualify for the quarter finals. They have won three in a row domestically.
Previous Meetings
Racing 92 convincingly beat Saracens 30 – 10 in the reverse fixture on 17/11/2019, with tries from Vakatawa, Thomas, Russell and Lauret. The margin would have been greater if their kickers had been more accurate (missed 1 penalty and 2 conversions).
In 2015/16, Saracens were victorious over Racing 92 in the final of the European Champions Cup, with Owen Farrell kicking seven out of seven penalties in a 21 – 9 win.
In 2014/15, Saracens also beat Racing 92 12 – 11 in the quarter-finals, with Maxime Machenaud scoring all eleven points for the Parisians. Machenaud is on the bench for Racing 92 on Sunday.
Pre-Team Release Betting
- Win/Lose/Draw
- Saracens 2/9. Racing 92 7/2. Draw 25/1.
- Handicap
- Saracens (-12) @ 10/11. Racing 92 (+12) @ 10/11. Draw (-12) @ 22/1
- Handicap (No Draw)
- Saracens (+12.5) @ 10/11. Racing 92 (-12.5) @ 4/5
Post-Team Release Betting
- Win/Lose/Draw
- Saracens 1/5. Racing 92 4/1. Draw 25/1.
- Handicap
- Saracens (-12) @ 10/11. Racing 92 (+12) @ 10/11. Draw (-12) @ 22/1
- Handicap (No Draw)
- Saracens (-12.5) @ 10/11. Racing 92 (+12.5) @ 4/5
Player Watch
Racing 92 – Virimi Vakatawa and Finn Russell are two of the most exciting players to watch in Europe this season. The explosive Vakatawa was in superb form at the World Cup for France and has maintained it all season for Racing 92. He seems to link up especially well with Finn Russell in midfield. If Racing 92 are going to upset the odds this Sunday, Vakatawa and Russell must perform again.
Saracens – When the Vunipola brother are on form, teams cannot seem to cope with Saracens or England. Both Billy and Mako Vunipola are two battering rams that are relentless in their efforts to gain yards and bully their way into dangerous positions. The Racing 92 pack is relatively inexperienced in terms of internationals and if the Vunipola brothers gain momentum, they may not be stopped.
Stat Attack
Racing 92 are currently 2nd in the total number of tries scored in the European Champions Cup. The current run of tries in the five matches so far is: 4 – 3 – 6 – 6 – 4.
Prediction
In the reverse fixture in November, Racing ran out comfortable 20-point winners. The bookies have put a 12-point handicap on Racing 92, however, a 32 point swing doesn’t seem likely given the conditions and the midfield Racing have selected.
Racing 92 Alternative 2-Way Handicap (+7.5) @ 11/8 on Betfair
European Rugby Scout 