The fast surface of Allianz Park is set to be tested to its limit by some of the Premiership’s flyers.
Saturday, August 3 will see Sarries new home play host to Pool three of the JP Morgan Rugby Sevens Series, with London rivals, Harlequins, London Wasps and London Irish taking to the G4 artificial turf.
Although, sevens may not be to everybody’s liking, it will signal yet another milestone for Saracens. For any club with a new home, the opportunity to host a round of a tournament such as this one is a positive thing, especially with the series’ popularity growing year on year.
But for the Men in Black, it signifies much more than that, after all Allianz Park isn’t like every other pitch. It is a yet another chance to show off the benefits that the pitch can bring, to prove those doubters wrong.
Inevitably, this will not be an occasion for the traditionalists, a game adapted for spectacle played on a ‘plastic’ pitch with not an inch of mud in sight.
In many ways, pool three, provides a stark but intriguing contrast to the one that will take place the day before in which Northampton Saints, Leicester Tigers, Sale Sharks and London Welsh will go head-to-head at Franklins’ Gardens.
Northampton Saints have not been backwards in coming forwards about their views on the importance of traditional ‘proper’ pitches, and it will be intriguing to compare the two regional rounds side by side, almost a case of the old verses the new.
The tournament is somewhat of a favourite for the Men in Black, having made the final round in all three of the previous years, becoming the inaugural winners in 2010 and runners up in 2011.
The club did however failed to make the final last year, losing out to Gloucester in the final pool game courtesy of a classy score from the cherry and whites. Hopefully, Sarries can continue and improve on their record in the competition when it graces their home patch.
It may be a case of rose-tinted glasses but there is a sense that Allianz Park would be the perfect host for an occasion like this; a pitch that will not deteriorate meaning a more level playing fields for teams and the ability to put on a show off the pitch as well as on it.
The relatively small size of the ground, 10,000 seats, will enable an atmosphere to be created and not lost in empty stands, only adding to the sense of occasion.
I for one believe the stage will be set for yet another memory to be made at Sarries’ new home, and after all is that not what supporting a team is all about?
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here