Derby day in North London as Sarries and ‘Quins face off in vital top-of-the-table Premiership clash

Saracens and Harlequins are set for a monumental clash in the Gallagher Premiership with both teams desperate to maintain their play-off berth.

Since the Saracens made their return to the Premiership, it is perhaps no surprise that they have shot right back to the upper echelons of England’s top tier. However, as of now Sarries’ are perhaps less imperious as we remember, with narrow defeats to Gloucester and Wasps on their resume since the turn of the year.

Harlequins meanwhile looked to be making a pretty good fist of defending their title, but now find themselves in the midst of a ruthless battle to stay in the top four thanks to surprise defeats to Bath and Sale.

Following the uncovering of their extensive breach of the salary cap back in 2019, the aim was to put that fiasco immediately behind them and head towards a sixth Premiership title. However, the North London side are witnessing some serious competition not only in and around them, but from the tablehopping Leicester Tigers.

Mark McCall has made two changes from the 40-3 trouncing of Bath, as Callum Hunter-Hill and Rotimi Segun come in.

Meanwhile, ‘Quine have made three changes to their starting lineup, as Santiago Garcia comes in whilst academy graduates Matas Jurevicius and Oscar Beard also come in.

The two sides have faced off twice already this season, once in the Premiership and once in the Premiership Rugby Cup, with Saracens coming out on top by less than ten points on both occasions.

Victory for either side would help keep their play-off destiny in their own hands, and with both teams missing players due to the six nations, this is certainly a fixture that would prove very tough to predict.