HC final - Saracens vs Toulon - Cardiff - Wilko vs Farrell.....

First topic message reminder :

Should be a cracker (England vs France) with two of the best teams in the NH playing each other in a celebration of rugby, can't wait to get there and soak up the atmosphere before, during and after the game, roll on 24th May.

scottrf the 3 wins for Saints were all at home - 2 in the LV Cup. All against depleted Saracens sides.

1-1 if we are talking about AP games - the 41-20 was during the International window too.

The last game was the last time both teams were close to full strength.

I don't think the head to head means anything. Just pointing out that though Saints are a good side they are not Toulon. Still good enough to beat Saracens of course though.

All true, I don't think anyone is claiming Saints are Toulon though. I wouldn't say Saracens are more affected than Saints by the international window though.

In that game Saracens were.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/24625600

That Saints side is not much different from the one that will be in the final.

Saints would be in big trouble if you were down to your 3rd choice 10.

It's not just the players that were out though, it's the effect on momentum and how well attuned they are to the clubs style. Saints struggled a lot after the players came back. Also, I'd argue there could be 7 from that team that might miss the final. I get your point though.

Was that down to the international window? Hodgson was long retired by then wasn't he?

Still absent from that match. My point is that match is largely irrelevant for Saturday.

Last season's playoff semi has more relevance to be honest.

Should be focussing on that instead.

Ah. I think Saints will jsut about nick it on Saturday but expect it to be very close. Feel sorry for whoever gets short changed in having to tackle B Vunipola who'll probably want to make a statement or 2 though!

Its not Billy who needs to make the statement...he made the big carries last week...its his flankers and support players that need to up their game 1000%

I picked Vunipola out as he was obviously gutted at the end of the Toulon game but point taken, there'll be a few wanting to put in performances.

I'm pipping Sarries to win this one to be honest.

I think they'll really be up for it after the Heineken cup loss. The prospect of finishing this season with nothing to show for it when it promised so much, will be eating away at them this week in training, I'm sure.