Friday 15 September 2000
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| 09:00-10:00 |
| The Rugby Club |
|
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| 14:00-15:00 |
| The Rugby Club |
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Saturday 16 September 2000
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| 14:00-16:30 |
| Ford Rugby Union: Zurich Premiership - Harlequins Vs Bristol- Live |
|
 |
| 22:00-23:30 |
| Rugby Union Update: Zurich Premiership Harlequins Vs Bristol |
|
|
| 02:00-03:30 |
| Rugby Union Update: Zurich Premiership - Harlequins Vs Bristol Highlights |
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Sunday 17 September 2000
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| 10:30-12:00 |
| Rugby Union Update: Zurich Premiership Harlequins Vs Bristol |
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Thursday 21 September 2000
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| 18:00-19:00 |
| The Rugby Club |
|
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| 23:00-00:00 |
| The Rugby Club |
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Friday 22 September 2000
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| 09:00-10:00 |
| The Rugby Club |
|
|
| 13:00-14:00 |
| The Rugby Club |
|
|
| 16:00-17:00 |
| The Rugby Club |
|
|
|
 Saracens:
Director
of rugby: Alan Zondagh
Coach: Francois Pienaar
Captain: Kyran Bracken
Ground: Vicarage Road
Last season: 4th.
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In:
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Players in: Thomas Castaignede (Castres), Tim Horan (Queensland), Duncan
McRae (New South Wales), Kensuke Iwabuchi (Japan) |
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Out:
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Rob Thirlby (Bath), Thierry Lacroix (Perpignan), Roberto Grau (Dax),
Mark Mapletoft (Harlequins), Steve Ravenscroft (London Welsh), Matt
Leek (Wasps), Jon Dawson (Harlequins), Matt Powell (Harlequins), Adam
Jones (Harlequins), Alex Bennett (Llanelli), George Chuter, Ryan Constable,
Brad Free |
 |
|
Thomas
Castaignede
|
Saracens underachieved
last season and they are desperate to put that right this time round. The
introduction of Tim Horan and Thomas Castaignede will ensure they retain their
fashionable image but Francois Pienaar, who has given up playing to concentrate
on coaching, is very aware that they lost too many matches they should have
won and will be looking to make them more ruthless.
Consistency
has been the problem and in terms of the coaching and playing staff available
to them they must do better. Saracens finished fourth in the Premiership
last season behind Leicester, Bath and Gloucester. They lost a number of
games by a point or so, and the introduction of bonus points this year will
help rather than hinder a traditional attack-minded side.
Thanks in part
to benefactor Nigel Wray's wealth the North London side have made easily
the biggest signings of all the Premiership sides, including, in Castaignede
and Horan, two of the most exciting players in world rugby.
 |
|
Tim
Horan
|
Horan, though,
who joins from Queensland on a two year contract, will miss a chunk of the
first half of the season through injury - a huge blow to his new employers.
When he is recovered, Horan will play in the centre but can also play at
fly-half. Castaignede will play at fullback, but can also fill the 10, 12
and number 13 jerseys. Castaignede has been involved heavily in pre-season,
turning in a committed performance at the Middlesex Sevens. More low key
is the arrival of Duncan McRae from New South Wales. He will be the first
choice fly-half, and may turn out to be one of the signings of the season.
His back-up will come from Japanese star and Cambridge Blue Kensuke Iwabuchi.
Kyran Bracken's
resurgence after injury continues, and he will captain Sarries this term.
Powerhouse flanker Richard Hill just gets better and better and will be
vice-captain. Alongside the new signings in the backs, youngsters Ben Johnston
and Kevin Sorrel will be hungry for games, and with the returning Dan Luger
there is a real cutting edge out wide. Overall, Sarries are definitely title
contenders.
Other Zurich
Premiership teams:
Bath
• Bristol
• Gloucester
• Harlequins
• Leicester
• London
Irish • Newcastle
• Northampton
• Rotherham
• Sale
• Wasps
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