Saracens
Ampthill v Saracens Pre-Season Friendly Preview
By Sarrov
September 8 2026
If our first pre-season game against Cornish Pirates was about forging new friendships, this weekend is all about renewing old ones. The link between the two clubs has been extremely beneficial to both parties over the last few years. Sarries get game time for their up and coming prospects and “The Mob” get to fill out their squad with some Premiership quality.
In recent years some big names have gained valuable minutes via the dual-registration programme - Ben Earl, Theo Dan, Tobias Elliott and Noah Caluori to name just a few. The summer also saw players heading in opposite directions on a full time basis, with Saracens signing centre Sione Va’enuku and young back row Barney Merrett making his loan to Ampthill permanent.
An interesting sub-plot of this game will be whether or not we see Sarries players turning out for both sides. Young fly half Luke Davidson started for Ampthill in their previous pre-season game and a full season pulling the strings in the Championship could do wonders for him. However, whether he and/or other youngsters run out in the Ampthill maroon and gold on Saturday remains to be seen.
It seems highly likely that Saracens will opt for a similar strategy as the Pirates game, with an inflated matchday squad and wholesale changes at half time. I also expect we will be seeing at least a few of the summer internationals for the first time, as a chance to get minutes into their legs before the Tigers game.
Street went off injured last week (but it looked more precautionary than anything else), Jamie George is nursing a slight injury, Cinti only finished up with Argentina last weekend, Onyeama-Christie was busy getting married last week but is hopefully fit and ready to go now and Gonzalez was roaming around the ground last week so can’t be far away from a matchday squad. Other than that we seem fully stocked
No sign of the game being streamed anywhere but tickets are still available at £10 a pop for those who can make it.
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Discussion started by TheSaracens.com , 08/09/2026 18:25
TheSaracens.com
08/09/2026 18:25
08/09/2026 18:25
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Looking forward to finally attending after the disappointment of the Covid Champ fixture being cancelled... not to figure out where to park...
Ninjafez - supporting Sarries and cleaning their signs since 2006!
Ninjafez - supporting Sarries and cleaning their signs since 2006!
Looking forward to going, not been before. Apparently you can park opposite at the Park or football club car parks.
Game being streamed on Clubber TV for those that cant make it. Looks like it is £4.99, which seems a bit steep for a pre-season friendly.
[www.clubbertv.co.uk]
[www.clubbertv.co.uk]
Five of our squad are playing for Ampthill. Luke Davidson, Asa Stewart-Harris, James Isaacs, Charlie West, and Reggie Hammick. Still no sign of Harvey Beaton so I assume he's injured.
We're giving Clubber a go, although review says 'but customer experiences and technical reliability are mixed'. I guess £4.99 won't break the bank and will probably be a one off.
Quote:tpr's headmistress
We're giving Clubber a go, although review says 'but customer experiences and technical reliability are mixed'. I guess £4.99 won't break the bank and will probably be a one off.
I've used them before and had no issues. Similar quality to the Cornish Pirates stream I would say
The email I got from the club implies there will be a live link from 3pm so I think there may be a free option.
Two very interesting XVs and I like the idea of giving them a half each if I understand the above correctly. Far more interested in seeing how the second half team do but good combinations in both.
Easy to read too much into selections so far but the one thing that feels more likely is that a big 6/lock will be our preferred option on the blindside given selections to date.
Street hopefully not out injured but rested? Good to see Segun rested.
It will be good to see some of our youngsters who have been or will be plying their trade at Ampthill.
Easy to read too much into selections so far but the one thing that feels more likely is that a big 6/lock will be our preferred option on the blindside given selections to date.
Street hopefully not out injured but rested? Good to see Segun rested.
It will be good to see some of our youngsters who have been or will be plying their trade at Ampthill.
Quote:PaulHerox
Two very interesting XVs and I like the idea of giving them a half each if I understand the above correctly. Far more interested in seeing how the second half team do but good combinations in both.
Easy to read too much into selections so far but the one thing that feels more likely is that a big 6/lock will be our preferred option on the blindside given selections to date.
Street hopefully not out injured but rested? Good to see Segun rested.
It will be good to see some of our youngsters who have been or will be plying their trade at Ampthill.
It definitely seems like Nick is being seen more as a 6 than a lock this season. I would still expect our "gun" XV to have JMG, Earl and Barbeary as the starting backrow however.
As you say, hopefully Street just rested to give the others some game time.
Looking forward to seeing how that 8, 9, 10 combinaton goes in the second half
Looking forward to watching this one, great mix of youth and experience.
Tom James and Faz working together will be interesting, as will a back 3 of J Bracken, Rawlins and Daky
Tom James and Faz working together will be interesting, as will a back 3 of J Bracken, Rawlins and Daky
Street was taken off with a sore shoulder after 15 mins vs Saints. Hopefully just resting ahead of the prem season
Looking at the 2 XVs and the squad in whole, things are looking exciting for the season ahead
Hope everyone can get through today and next week without too many knocks
Hope everyone can get through today and next week without too many knocks
Quote:SarrovQuote:PaulHerox
Two very interesting XVs and I like the idea of giving them a half each if I understand the above correctly. Far more interested in seeing how the second half team do but good combinations in both.
Easy to read too much into selections so far but the one thing that feels more likely is that a big 6/lock will be our preferred option on the blindside given selections to date.
Street hopefully not out injured but rested? Good to see Segun rested.
It will be good to see some of our youngsters who have been or will be plying their trade at Ampthill.
It definitely seems like Nick is being seen more as a 6 than a lock this season. I would still expect our "gun" XV to have JMG, Earl and Barbeary as the starting backrow however
Agreed, JMG coming back from a bad injury so must be getting eased back in. I can imagine the lock at 6 option happening against Exeter in particular, I felt like we didn’t match them physically up front last season.
Quote:ComeOnSarries
The email I got from the club implies there will be a live link from 3pm so I think there may be a free option.
I've just pressed that 'live' button, and it goes straight to the Clubber site.
Juat pressing the link seems to have upset my computer. Given up. Not happy. Saracens admin strikes again.
Lots to like in that.
Found the first 20 pretty poor.
Thought O’Driscoll and Hartley were excellent in the first half. Charlie had a much better time of it today than last week. Scrum was also good in the first 40. And then Jack…well yeah no more questions your honour. Thought the forwards overall in the first half were a little powder puff in the contact disappointingly.
Second half was much better- spearheaded by a fantastic 40 minutes from a Tomos/Ferg combination. Some of Tomos’ play from the base and Ferg in releasing the backs was very impressive. I hope that’s a sign of things to come. Pleased to see Ferg bag 100% from the tee too. Sione also had a fantastic half for me. I think we’ll go with Hartley/nt for tigers but on form I’d love to see sione picked. Tobias was also excellent on the wing. I’m personally not a fan of max at 10. Thought he looked much better in the back field in open play today. The forwards were also much more physical in the second half. The scrum continued to dominate. Alfie had a very physical 40 too, shades of Tom Willis.
We move
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:09:12:17:01:47 by Stonexjim.
Found the first 20 pretty poor.
Thought O’Driscoll and Hartley were excellent in the first half. Charlie had a much better time of it today than last week. Scrum was also good in the first 40. And then Jack…well yeah no more questions your honour. Thought the forwards overall in the first half were a little powder puff in the contact disappointingly.
Second half was much better- spearheaded by a fantastic 40 minutes from a Tomos/Ferg combination. Some of Tomos’ play from the base and Ferg in releasing the backs was very impressive. I hope that’s a sign of things to come. Pleased to see Ferg bag 100% from the tee too. Sione also had a fantastic half for me. I think we’ll go with Hartley/nt for tigers but on form I’d love to see sione picked. Tobias was also excellent on the wing. I’m personally not a fan of max at 10. Thought he looked much better in the back field in open play today. The forwards were also much more physical in the second half. The scrum continued to dominate. Alfie had a very physical 40 too, shades of Tom Willis.
We move
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:09:12:17:01:47 by Stonexjim.
Quote:tpr's headmistressQuote:ComeOnSarries
The email I got from the club implies there will be a live link from 3pm so I think there may be a free option.
I've just pressed that 'live' button, and it goes straight to the Clubber site.
Sadly not free, but pretty good coverage.
Our backs are mustard. Hope this is a sign of change of style.
The Clubber stream worked well and allowed log in on 2 devices (when we couldn't put it through the tv at first but worked later with the newer laptop). Will use again if nothing free available.
I was particularly impressed with Tomos and Fergus at half back and we have some serious pace out wide. Theo’s darts still need some work. As someone else has said I think Malins is better at full back. I think the likes of Maro took it as a warm up and played within himself which was part of the reason we didn’t dominate up front in the first 40. But I suspect the coaches were pretty happy with the outcome.
Echoing the above, Tomos and Fergie look like a good combo on his evidence. The former’s playmaking and kicking really frees Burke up, although Burke was great off the tee in windy conditions. Va’enuku is great to watch ball in hand, interested to see how he fares against tougher opposition. I somehow always forget how brilliant Elliott is, makes the game look effortless. Here’s hoping he has a few less injury issues this season.
Made my first visit to Ampthill today & enjoyed the game. It may not have come over on the feed but there was a gale blowing in the first half which may explain why kicking from hand was a bit of a lottery.
Some really sparkling back play - Fergus completely bossed the second half & his goal kicking was good too. Tomos' clearance kicking superb. Great finishing to tries from nearly everyone!
Scrum was pretty good throughout. Lineout a bit rusty & not all down to the hookers (some messed up lifting as well).
Still a bit concerned about defence against mauls & on goal line against standard forward rumbles.
But overall - very encouraging. If we play as we are trying to & tighten up a bit, should score a bucket of tries this season.
Also fantastic to see the guys taking time with the fans afterwards - Maro had an ever changing group of kids around him & made time to sign balls, shirts etc & many others also behaved very well in this way .
Some really sparkling back play - Fergus completely bossed the second half & his goal kicking was good too. Tomos' clearance kicking superb. Great finishing to tries from nearly everyone!
Scrum was pretty good throughout. Lineout a bit rusty & not all down to the hookers (some messed up lifting as well).
Still a bit concerned about defence against mauls & on goal line against standard forward rumbles.
But overall - very encouraging. If we play as we are trying to & tighten up a bit, should score a bucket of tries this season.
Also fantastic to see the guys taking time with the fans afterwards - Maro had an ever changing group of kids around him & made time to sign balls, shirts etc & many others also behaved very well in this way .
On TV Ampthill looked wonderful if windy today. Incredible turnout and I think the commentator mentioned 500 Sarries supporters.
Always hard to know what to take out of a game like that. First half team largely underwhelming for me but they played against the stronger team. I'd agree with the above comment that a few too many big names looked like they weren't really up for putting their bodies on the line before the Prem starts. I kind of get it but it wasn't the best look.
Lots of individual bright spots. Perhaps the pick for me was the two 12's both of whom played very well with a decent mix of handling and going direct. Agree with Tommy Kentish about Va'enuku both looking good and liking to see him against tougher opposition when I think he might need to use his support a little more.
Sodeke hits very hard and whilst his restarts remain a work on, not helped by his lifter twice fudging the lift, looks like a good option to complement our other locks.
I really liked what I saw from Williams. He kicked too much for me especially in this game where we could have done with as much practice of ball in hand as possible but I'm sure that was to instruction and he did it very well. I can see those huge clearances being very useful in relieving pressure. Also a few nice snipes.
Great seeing Burke and Malins back together. Different level from our other options there. So much game intelligence and read and react to the play so quickly. Also link together incredibly well. When the picture changes or things go off script neither panic they just adapt.
Loved how quickly Malins realises Va'enuku is going into touch so tackles the defender and Va'enuku back in field so the try can be scored.
Nice to see Barrington again although he got "remixed" by Burke a couple of times who had an outstanding game.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:09:12:21:09:41 by PaulHerox.
Always hard to know what to take out of a game like that. First half team largely underwhelming for me but they played against the stronger team. I'd agree with the above comment that a few too many big names looked like they weren't really up for putting their bodies on the line before the Prem starts. I kind of get it but it wasn't the best look.
Lots of individual bright spots. Perhaps the pick for me was the two 12's both of whom played very well with a decent mix of handling and going direct. Agree with Tommy Kentish about Va'enuku both looking good and liking to see him against tougher opposition when I think he might need to use his support a little more.
Sodeke hits very hard and whilst his restarts remain a work on, not helped by his lifter twice fudging the lift, looks like a good option to complement our other locks.
I really liked what I saw from Williams. He kicked too much for me especially in this game where we could have done with as much practice of ball in hand as possible but I'm sure that was to instruction and he did it very well. I can see those huge clearances being very useful in relieving pressure. Also a few nice snipes.
Great seeing Burke and Malins back together. Different level from our other options there. So much game intelligence and read and react to the play so quickly. Also link together incredibly well. When the picture changes or things go off script neither panic they just adapt.
Loved how quickly Malins realises Va'enuku is going into touch so tackles the defender and Va'enuku back in field so the try can be scored.
Nice to see Barrington again although he got "remixed" by Burke a couple of times who had an outstanding game.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:09:12:21:09:41 by PaulHerox.
Almost impossible to compare players today as we had a completely fresh 15 in the second half against an Ampthill side who on the whole had worked extremely hard for 40mins.
What I will say is Williams looked a class apart. A rocket of a pass and kicked brilliantly. Someone above suggested we kicked too much for a friendly. Hard disagree, we ran out of our own 22 on a number of occasions and we dont learn anything from throwing the ball about in a way we never would in a game (e.g Daly and his ridiculous tap and go goal line drop out).
The other big difference was Burke's pace. His ability to come on the loop off a little pop from Sione opened up space time and time again.
Between the two of them, we played at a pace Ampthill couldnt live with and they made life incredibly easy for those outside them.
What I will say is Williams looked a class apart. A rocket of a pass and kicked brilliantly. Someone above suggested we kicked too much for a friendly. Hard disagree, we ran out of our own 22 on a number of occasions and we dont learn anything from throwing the ball about in a way we never would in a game (e.g Daly and his ridiculous tap and go goal line drop out).
The other big difference was Burke's pace. His ability to come on the loop off a little pop from Sione opened up space time and time again.
Between the two of them, we played at a pace Ampthill couldnt live with and they made life incredibly easy for those outside them.
Thoroughly enjoyable and a very encouraging performance. Ampthill competed well for first 30 mins or so but in the second half barely laid a finger on us.
We really are blessed with excellent young wingers, Jack Bracken is electric but doesn’t yet use the ball well when he’s tackled.
Elliot on the other hand is a very accomplished all round player.
It’s odd that Sodeke is very safe in the lineout, but his restart catching is going to halt his progress if it doesn’t improve. 2/7 last week and 0/3 today. Realise it was windy and a sloping pitch today so never easy when being lifted, but Isiekwe showed a much softer pair of hands last week.
Really hope he can sort it out.
We really are blessed with excellent young wingers, Jack Bracken is electric but doesn’t yet use the ball well when he’s tackled.
Elliot on the other hand is a very accomplished all round player.
It’s odd that Sodeke is very safe in the lineout, but his restart catching is going to halt his progress if it doesn’t improve. 2/7 last week and 0/3 today. Realise it was windy and a sloping pitch today so never easy when being lifted, but Isiekwe showed a much softer pair of hands last week.
Really hope he can sort it out.
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