11:10am Friday 12th March 2010
By Simon Mail
Brendan Venter believes Saracens can turn their season around if they manage to cause a major upset in their LV= Cup semi-final at Northampton Saints.
The Men in Black have been on a dreadful run in the Guinness Premiership with five defeats in their last six games but they have the chance to transform their fortunes on Sunday when they travel to fortress Franklin's Gardens. The Saints, who have leapt above Sarries in the table, have not been beaten at home for more than a year and will provide a huge test for Venter's confidence-stricken side.
Sarries' director of rugby said: "We're struggling in the Premiership and this alone will be motivation for us. The guys know if we turn it around in this game then we will be right back on track.
"It is not rocket science what they [Northampton] do. They have a very simple formula but everything they do is done very well from their defence to their attack.
"They will obviously go in as heavy favourites with their Premiership form and home record but I'm sure we will make it an interesting encounter."
Saracens' sole trophy win came in the Tetley's Bitter Cup in 1998 and they have fallen by the wayside in five semi-finals over the last three seasons. Their most recent defeat was at the Saints in the European Challenge Cup last year and Venter hopes his team can go one stage further this weekend.
The South African added: "This is a very different team to the one that has got to the semi-finals before but I think that they have something inside them to get a result. The club have only been to one final before so it would mean a lot if they could get through."
Wikus van Heerden misses out with a shoulder injury, so compatriot Ernst Joubert returns to captain the side for the first time. Kas Lealamanua is also brought back into the team, in place of Matias Aguero, to bolster the scrum after more problems in their 19-12 defeat at Leeds Carnegie last Sunday.
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