Semi final 1 - Northampton v Saracens. Squad predictions

So here it is. The pinnacle of the English Premiership is almost upon us. We've seen some great fixtures, and we've seen a mountain of tries scored over the twenty two weeks. But we aren't done yet. We have the semi finals to approach before we march to Twickenham en mass. And I want to broach the first one. A replay of last years final, Saracens visit the home of the Champions, Northampton Saints. No doubts can be cast that these two teams are the form sides going into this weekend. Despite Northampton losing to Leicester on Saturday, no one has written off the hosts. Saracens had it easier, running 68 points to London Welsh's 17, but former Saint Chris Ashton has already called Northampton the favourites. Inevitably true, what with Saints being in the position to throw a game away last weekend. What with the Saints doing the double over Saracens, including the epic at Stadium MK, the home crowd advantage and the prospect of Twickenham calling should put the Saints home. 

Likely line ups. Or at least, my selections

Northampton and Saracens have big packs and will want to assert dominance over the other. After watching Salesi Ma'afu suffer at the hands of Logovi Munipola and then Marcos Ayerza, Mako Vunipola must be licking his lips. However, Jim Mallinder may opt to switch the in form Garath Denman to partner with Dylan Hartley and Alex Corbisiero. Mike Haywood had a blinder of a game, but the impact the captain will have on the squad will probably weigh heavily on Mallinder's thoughts. Schalk Brits will oppose Hartley, and Jamie George will be looking to add an impact from the bench. The last front row player will be Petrus Du Plessis, continuing to make the short his own.

The second rows are an interesting battle. The current England top choice and the old line out master will go head-to-head with the young challengers. Maro Itoje and George Kruis will be fighting to prove their point to Stuart Lancaster after their likely selection to England's squad. (At the time of writing, the squad hasn't been announced.) Courtney Lawes will be wanting to smash, as he always does, and Christian Day will be quietly going about his business. 

Back row will see two of the best number 8's in the country fight it out. Samu Manoa and Billy Vunipola are both top class players, and the contest between these two rumblers will set sparks blazing on the field. Coming back from his injury caused against the same opponents might slow Vunipola down though, and the big American will be wanting to say goodbye to the Gardens in style. On the sides, Calum Clark, the Players Player, Supporters Player and Supporters Club Player of the year, and Tom Wood will be hoping to keep Jackson Wray and Kelly Brown away from the breakdown ball. Likewise, the young Englishman and the Scottish Eyebrows will want to fight back and keep possession.

The half backs will almost certainly be Richard Wigglesworth and Charlie Hodgson against Kahn Fotuali'i and Stephen Myler, assuming the later has recovered from his leg injury. If he hasn't, James Wilson will line up in his place. Owen Farrell will be taking bench duty, I think. His form hasn't reached the peak yet, and Hodgson has been too good to leave behind. Fotuali'i and Wigglesworth have both played well, and are likely to be part of their respective teams rotation policies, as both sat on the bench last week. Myler's dead leg in the London Welsh game should have recovered by now, but don't be surprised if he isn't lined up.

The centres should be the stunning Chris Wyles and cannon foot Marcelo Bosch against the heavy impact Luther Burrell and grinning menace George Pisi. Wyles has been fabulous all year, and his footwork could be key. Similarly, Pisi and Burrell will be devastating in the midfield, a powerhouse combination which has worked all year. Meanwhile Bosch means the Saints will have to remain honest, even in the Saracens half. 

And finally, the back three. David Strettle, Alex Goode, and Chris Ashton (expect boos at the Gardens,) against Jamie Elliot, Ahsee Tuala and Ken Pisi. Saracens always use this back three combination for their big games when they can. Goode's boot and defence skill, combined with Ashton and Strettle's finishing abilities makes them lethal. On the other side, Elliot has stepped into the gap left by George North and has terrorised defences with his nimble footwork and terrier mentality make him a real threat in his own right. Samoan threats with the known Ken Pisi's speed and strength and the newly discovered Tuala talent could throw the Saracens into some confusion, so expect the game to be a mixture of expansive play and forward prowess. So basically, a right royal game of rugby. 

Fun Facts.

Both times that Northampton have reached the finals, they beat the defending champions, Saracens in 2013, and Leicester in 2014. 

Saracens most recent win at Franklins Gardens came in the LV Cup final over Exeter. 

My prediction.

Saints will take advantage of the home crowd and will take a very narrow lead to take themselves through to a third consecutive final. Northampton 24 - 20 Saracens

Predicted squads

Northampton - Tuala, K. Pisi, G. Pisi, Burrell, Elliot, Myler, Fotuali'i; Corbisiero, Hartley, Denman, Lawes, Day, Clark, Wood, Manoa. 

Bench - Haywood, Waller, Ma'afu, Dickinson, Fisher; Dickson, Wilson, North/Stephenson.

Saracens - Goode, Ashton, Bosch, Wyles, Strettle, Hodgson, Wigglesworth; M. Vunipola, Brits, Du Plessis, Itoje, Kruis, Wray, Brown, B. Vunipola.

Bench - George, Gill, Johnston, Hargreaves, Joubert, De Kock, Farrell, Tomkins.