Saracens aim to profit from wonder of Wembley

Weekend Preview: National stadium brings extra attention to game against Northampton

Saracens v Northampton

Jim Mallinder, the man in charge at Northampton, announced yesterday that his side would be staying "focused on the rugby" this weekend. As opposed to what, exactly? Pilates, perhaps? Origami? The latest goings on at Harlequins, otherwise known as Transylvania-upon-Thames?

Actually, it was possible to see his point, for there will be distractions everywhere today. Most teams facing an away trip to Saracens have to gird their loins for a visit to Vicarage Road, handily situated next door to Watford General Hospital for those who carelessly brush up against the rotting woodwork and give themselves an armful of splinters. This afternoon, however, Sarries are taking the East Midlanders to Wembley, no less, where Fabio Capello can do no wrong and the stands look capable of staying upright in the face of a light breeze.

Inspired by Quins' success in drawing 52,000 for their match with Leicester at Twickenham last Christmas, and, indeed, the mass-marketing brilliance of Stade Français, who now sell out Stade de France half a dozen times a season, the new Saracens management believe they can make the occasional upgrade work for them. There is a precedent here. Wales made Wembley work so well during their spell away from Cardiff in the late 1990s that they even managed to deny England a Grand Slam. If Sarries experience anything like the same level of bliss, the financial gamble will have been worthwhile.

Harlequins v Leicester

A sensitive one, this. Dean Richards, who resigned as the Londoners' director of rugby after being exposed as the man at the centre of the fake blood scandal that brought the club to its knees, is still revered up at Leicester's home in Welford Road, three-year ban or no three-year ban. He served the Midlanders magnificently, both as a player and a coach, and it is by no means stretching a point to suggest that both sides will feel the lack of him this afternoon.

Still, life goes on. Quins were beaten less soundly by Wasps than the scoreboard suggested last weekend and it would be no great surprise to see them give the champions a hurry-up here, especially as Leicester have half an international back line missing through injury. Then again, the loss of their first-choice locks – George Robson through suspension, James Percival through injury – will not do the home side any favours.

Bath v Wasps

As expected, the West Countrymen go in without two casualties from last weekend's nasty shock at Gloucester: the full-back Nick Abendanon and the prop David Wilson. Wasps have the Lions flanker Joe Worsley back to replace John Hart, and Ben Broster in the front row ahead of Gabriel Bocca.

London Irish v Gloucester

Bob Casey starts tomorrow's game, having played so well off the bench last time out for the Exiles against Saracens. Gloucester have dropped James Simpson-Daniel to the bench.

Newcastle v Sale

Sale have picked Mathew Tait in his optimum position of outside centre and have Andrew Sheridan back in the front row.