Aviva Premiership Final Prediction

The 2015 Aviva Premiership season is reaching its violent climax. The crucible of the two semifinals, has yielded the toughest of the top 4, and the final, ultimate match of the Premiership will tell us who the best of the best. Saracens won their fixture against Northampton, finalizing their vengeance for the horrible loss they were forced to endure a season ago. Bath took on Leicester in the penultimate match of the Premiership, and showed that they are not wide eyed new boys on this stage, blasting Leicester to the tune of 47-10. This will be an almighty battle, on the hallowed ground of Twickenham, and boy are we excited to watch it.

Saracens call upon Mako Vunipola, Jamie George, and Petrus Du Plessis in the front row. George has had a remarkable season, filling in for the injured Schalk Brits, and now getting a call up to the England training squad. Mako Vunipola has been in good form since his return from injury, and his immense power means he is dangerous with ball in hand. Bath have gone with the tried and true trio of Paul James, Ross Batty, and David Wilson. Wilson will want to play his way back into the starting lineup for England, while Ross Batty will have the Saracens players distracted, as they all try to cut his hair. (No front rower should have hair like that, EVER.)

 

Stuart Hooper and Dave Attwood are the locks for Bath, and the latter is looking to hold off Courtney Lawes, and hold onto his starting spot for England. Hooper is a great leader for Bath, and he will be the one they look up to if things start to go downhill. George Kruis partners with captain Alistair Hargreaves for Saracens. Kruis has had a phenomenal season for club and country, and is likely to be Sarries favorite lineout target.

Two rising stars occupy the 6 shirts, with Rugby League star Sam Burgess starting for Bath, and the fast-growing youngster, Maro Itoje for Saracens. Both are large and immensely physical players, and expect them to have a prominent role in this match. Jacques Burger and Billy Vunipola round out a very large and extremely physical Saracens back row. Francois Louw starts at 7 for Bath, and Saracens must try to limit his impact at the breakdown, for he is a turnover machine. Fan favorite Leroy Houston starts at no.8 for Bath, and he will look to make an impression with his good carrying. This matchup will go a long way in determining the outcome of this match.

Saracens have one of the best kicking halfback pairings in the Premiership, with Richard Wigglesworth and Owen Farrell looking to feed their deadly kick chasers early and often. Irish legend Peter Stringer starts at 9, and he too will give Bath the poise and experience that they may need. Young George Ford starts at 10, and he has been in incredible form this season. He has led this explosive Bath backline, and with him holding the reins they have scored at will, just look at what they did to the usually stoic Leicester defense. Ford and Farrell will be battling it out for England’s 10 shirt at the World Cup, so both will want to be at their best.

Kyle Eastmond starts at 12 for Bath, and his ability to spark a game open with his agility and pace will be tested by his opposite number, Brad Barritt, whose size and defensive prowess has shut down many an attacker this season. Duncan Taylor starts at outside center for Sarries, and he will come up against one of this season’s most exciting players, Jonathan Joseph. Joseph has been scoring tries at will at both the international and club level, and is rapidly becoming the centerpiece of England’s attack. Joseph’s pace and agility means that he is a handful for any defender, and Taylor will certainly have his hands full.

Bath boast an electric back three, which features Matt Banahan, Semesa Rokoduguni, and Anthony Watson. Saracens love of the highball might have to come to an end against this trio, as taking a kick over someone who is 6 foot 7 inches like Banahan isnt exactly a walk in the park, and Rokoduguni and Watson are two of the most elusive runners in the premiership.

Not like Saracens have had two settle for a second rate trio either. Chris Wyles has been one of the Premierships in form players this season, playing at a myriad of positions and excelling at all of them. David Strettle has had another fantastic season, and it has seen him get an England recall. Alex Goode starts at fullback, and his excellent defense and solidity under the high ball will always be a reliable factor for Saracens. Strettle and Goode’s aerial prowess is a huge part of Sarries game plan so expect to see them flying after kicks throughout the match.

Schalk Brits and Jackson Wray will come off the bench for Saracens and will have a big impact with ball in hand. Brits is one of the most electric forwards in the world, and if he finds his form and some space, he can do some serious damage. Rob Webber will be eager to reclaim his spot for England, with Dylan Hartley shooting himself in the foot. AGAIN. Ollie Devoto is a flashy youngster for Bath, and he will see some time in the centers or at 10. Chris Ashton is one of Europe’s deadliest finishers, and he could create havoc upon tiring Bath legs late in the match.

This is a very tough match to call. Bath have been the team to beat this season in the premiership, and have provided the majority of England’s backs during the 6 Nations. George Ford has been incredible this season, and he must be stopped if Sarries want to get a win. Saracens are peaking at the right time of the year, playing better and better every week as they approached the playoffs, and then silenced their demons last week with that fantastic win over Northampton at Franklin’s Gardens. In this case, I think that the match is a matter of tactics and execution. Bath’s strategy is obvious from its selections, they will want to play quickly, and use all of the space available, in an open attacking game. Saracens may take a leaf out of Leinster’s book, and simply look to shut down Bath’s attack with good defense and accurate kicking. You will not beat Bath by looking to beat them at their own attacking style, but you can beat them by suffocating them from minute 1 to minute 80, and I think that is what Saracens will want to do.

Prediction: Saracens 22- Bath 19