100-up for Haywood as he starts for Saints at Saracens

Mike Haywood will make his 100th Saints appearance in the LV= Cup semi-final at Saracens on Saturday afternoon.
100-UP - Mike Haywood will bring up a century of Saints appearances when he plays at Saracens on Sunday100-UP - Mike Haywood will bring up a century of Saints appearances when he plays at Saracens on Sunday
100-UP - Mike Haywood will bring up a century of Saints appearances when he plays at Saracens on Sunday

The 23-year-old hooker, a product of the club’s Academy, has played a key role in the successes of recent years, starting in both the Aviva Premiership and Amlin Challenge Cup final wins last season.

He forms part of a strong front row at Allianz Park this weekend, with Alex Corbisiero and Salesi Ma’afu also named in the starting 15.

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Flanker Jon Fisher comes into the side to make his first appearance since suffering a foot injury in the pool game at Scarlets in early November.

Sam Olver, the 20-year-old, gets the nod at fly-half, with Stephen Myler among a strong set of replacements that also includes Calum Clark, Lee Dickson and James Wilson.

Christian Day, George Pisi and Ken Pisi are rested after picking up knocks in the 33-33 draw at Gloucester last Saturday.

Phil Dowson will captain Saints, who will be hoping to book a place in the March 22 showpiece at their Franklin’s Gardens home.

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Meanwhile, Saracens have lock George Kruis among their replacements after his release by England.

Saracens: Ransom; Ellery, Bosch, Streather, Strettle; Mordt, Spencer; Gill, Saunders, Figallo; Itoje (c), Smith; De Jager, Hankin, Joubert.

Replacements: Spurling, Barrington, Alo, Kruis, Brown, Whiteley, Palamo, Fercu.

Saints: Tuala; Elliott, Stephenson, Waldouck, Collins; Olver, Fotuali’i; Corbisiero, Haywood, Ma’afu; Manoa, Ryder, Dowson (c), Fisher, Dickinson.

Replacements: Williams, E Waller, Denman, Nutley, Clark, Dickson, Myler, Wilson.

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