Schmidt: Sarries will force us to play in top gear

IT is not all it seems in Pool 2 of the Heineken Cup, and an eight-point difference between leaders Leinster and bottom team Saracens doesn’t necessarily tell the whole story of this particular four-team campaign.

The reality, though, is that Saracens won’t qualify and Leinster, needing one more victory from two games, almost certainly will. They could have a quarter-final place wrapped up by 3.30pm at the RDS today.

But Leinster’s coach Joe Schmidt and the experienced Scottish international second row Nathan Hines are in no doubt that being on top puts them in the firing line and will merely fuel the desire of an English club that has, arguably, played with more freedom on the road, where their only victory was achieved against Racing Metro in Paris.

Schmidt, for instance, pointed firmly to the improvement shown by Saracens since the teams met in round two at Wembley, a game that Leinster won by just two points (25-23).

“They showed that away to Clermont when they were unlucky not to come away with some return (10-25); they appear to have been a little bit hesitant at home but freed up a bit away, even in difficult conditions, and they showed great class to get the win over Racing Metro.”

Hines is equally sure Saracens will force Leinster to play in top gear. “We managed to cope with their game in Wembley, but they do pose a huge threat. They’re a bit different from a lot of teams and it can be hard enough to keep your shape against them because they do tend to run from everywhere. In that sense, you’ve got to keep your concentration at all times.”

Leinster’s Schmidt yesterday displayed a hint of ruthlessness when he named Isa Nacewa at full-back instead of Luke Fitzgerald, whom Irish coach Declan Kidney would surely love to have seen in the 15 jersey, particularly now that Rob Kearney and Geordan Murphy are both long-term absentees.

But Nacewa has been hugely influential for Leinster at full-back over a number of weeks, and he retains the position based on form and the fact that Fitzgerald is only just back from injury himself.

The brilliance of Fergus McFadden, either on the wing or in the middle of the pitch, also contributed to that Schmidt decision, because McFadden simply had to be accommodated based on current form.

Saracens, meanwhile, have made four changes from the team that defeated London Irish last week to move into second place in the Premiership, but the big news was not so much in team selection as the inclusion of Gavin Henson on the bench. The Welsh international was added to the Heineken Cup panel just last week and seems certain to play some part in today’s game.

Schmidt this week expected such a move and has no doubt either that Henson will get game time. “When it happens it happens, and we will have to cope with another threat from a team that has a lot of threats.”

Irrespective of the changes, Schmidt believes the challenge for Leinster will very much stay the same. Brendan Venter, the outspoken South African coach, has moved on since the last encounter, but the Kiwi doesn’t expect much difference in terms of performance from the English side.

“They play with a mix of very direct and abrasive rugby and move the ball from side to side; with that mixture they’re a fairly potent outfit,” he said.

The direct approach will come from a pack lead by Steve Borthwick and the bustling Kelly Brown, part of a feared Scottish international back row.

Borthwick has no intention of throwing in the towel despite his side’s impossible position. “We want to win as many games as we can and that is the attitude we take to Dublin, regardless of where we are in the table.

“After last week’s win over London Irish, our thoughts moved straight to this one, about getting everything right in our preparations, learning from last week and improving on that performance.

“The club is in a very healthy position and we’re looking forward to the second half of the season; the hand-over from Brendan Venter to Mark McCall has been seamless and that’s a sign of strength we have in the club,” he said.

That strength, believes flanker Andy Saull, can shine through at the RDS. “We know it’s going to be a very tough match but we also know what we’re capable of now that we have put some good results together.

“We have lost three games in the group but a couple have been by the smallest of margins. We gave away soft tries against Clermont and Racing and were a kick away from beating Leinster, so there hasn’t been a lot in it.

“Playing in Dublin in front of a full house will be a great experience but we would hope to put in a good performance to set up an exciting finish to the group.”