Brendan Venter insists Saracens' cup win at Leeds will not affect latest match (From Watford Observer)

Brendan Venter insists Saracens' cup win at Leeds will not affect latest match

3:10pm Friday 5th March 2010 in

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Brendan Venter is adamant Saracens' recent bonus point win over Leeds Carnegie will have no bearing on Sunday's crucial Guinness Premiership clash.

The Men in Black scored four tries in their 28-5 LV= Cup win in Headingley at the end of January but the Yorkshire club have since won their last two league matches to move within striking distance of climbing off the foot of the table.

Leeds completed a league double over London Wasps last weekend, in their first success at home this season, and will fancy their chances of adding to Sarries' faltering campaign this weekend.

Saracens' director of rugby said: "We're not even looking at that [cup win] because that was their academy players. There is no sense in looking ahead. We have only one problem ahead of us and that is Leeds.

"We take confidence from the way we played against Bath. We did some things wrong against them but the team did a lot of things well.

"We know that Leeds will be a tough match. Our first game with them at Vicarage Road was very difficult and they've won their last two games so Leeds have been playing very well."

"Leeds just play very well, they have a good set piece, kick well and tackle well. If you are not on your game then Leeds will beat you."

Italian prop Matias Aguero returns to the side in place of Kas Lealamanua as Saracens attempt to strengthen their scrum after their problems in the past month.

Jacques Burger and Justin Melck both come into the pack for Andy Saull and Ernst Joubert, while Rodd Penney is recalled to the wing.

Meanwhile, Saracens have taken three Fijian players on trial, for three months, with a view to signing them for next season.

Iliesa Keresoni, Kameli Ratuvou's brother, is a 23-year-old wing and Asaeli Boko and Samuela Bolatagane are both forwards. The trio are available to play for the Storm team and Venter is also looking at other trialists on the wing.

Venter said: "We want to see if they will fit in to the environment. We're just planning our recruitment for next season. If you do not explore the market then you will miss out on finding some gems.

"In the past, Saracens have been good at spending a lot of money in an attempt to get a quick fix. But we are trying to go down a different route of developing young players through the academy."