EDF Energy Cup - : Bristol opt for continuity for trip to Saracens

Joe El Abd skippers Bristol

Bristol opt for continuity for trip to Saracens

2 November 2007, 12:08 pm

By Jonathan McConnell

Bristol Rugby Head Coach Richard Hill keeps an unchanged pack for the EDF Energy Cup clash at Saracens on Sunday but reshuffles his backline as Bristol go in search of a second win in the competition.

With the forwards having enjoyed a fine afternoon in the win over the Scarlets last weekend and, all of them reporting a clean bill of health, Hill sees no need to change things up front but moves things around slightly in the backs.

David Hill moves to fullback from flyhalf with Jason Strange taking over at 10. Fullback last weekend, Tom Arscott reverts to his more familiar berth on the right wing with Lee Robinson moving to the left and Brian O'Riordan comes in for Shaun Perry at scrum half.

With both teams having won their opening matches in the EDF Energy Cup last weekend, there is a real incentive for both Bristol and Saracens to put everything into this match as the winner will be left top of the pile come Sunday evening.

"We tried a few different combinations for the last EDF game and, thanks to a tremendous performance, we beat one of the best teams in Wales."

"It'll be a very tough game. It looks as though Saracens will be as strong as they can be. They've had the incentive of clinching a bonus point win against Leeds Carnegie last week so I think they'll probably feel that another bonus point win against Bristol would all but put them into the semi finals."

"Last weekend's win over the Scarlets has really given me a selection headache this week because so many players put their hands up to demand selection. Everyone wanted to be involved this weekend against Saracens, I can't hold them back!"

"But I've decided to keep the nucleus of the side that played Llanelli together, with a few tweaks, to see how they fare away from home. That's the challenge, we need to replicate that level of performance away from home. This weekend gives us a fantastic opportunity to do so."

The match of the round in the EDF Energy Cup pits together the top two sides in the Pool D table. Saracens' only loss in their last five outings was 30-34 at Sale in the Premiership two weeks ago.

Likewise, Bristol Rugby have also lost just once in their last five encounters: 18-24 at Harlequins on 6 October.

Bristol have won twice in seven previous visits to Vicarage Road in all competitions: 28-26 in May 2002 and 19-13 in February 2006.

Bristol Rugby: David Hill; Tom Arscott, Neil Brew, Rob Higgitt, Lee Robinson; Jason Strange, Brian O'Riordan; Alex Clarke, David Blaney, Darren Crompton; Gareth Llewellyn, Sean Hohneck; Nathan Budgett, Joe El Abd (capt), Andrew Blowers

Replacements: Scott Linklater, Dave Hilton, Redford Pennycook, James Phillips, Haydn Thomas, Sam Cox, Craig Morgan