5 Key battles ahead of the Premiership final

Mako Vunipola v David Wilson

Two current English props go up against each other at Twickenham where they will look to get the upper hand on one another at scrum time. Saracens scrum against the Saints last weekend was extremely impressive as they won a lot of penalties with Owen Farrell punishing the Saints from the tee. Wilson will have to be top of his game to get the better of Vunipola because with the form that Farrell is in he will punish them from the tee.

Maro Itoje v Sam Burgess

There is so many battles to look forward to in the back row with Francois Louw going up against Jacques Burger and at number 8 Leroy Houston going toe to toe with Billy Vunipola. However we are most looking forward to seeing Maro Itoje going up against Sam Burgess. In what is the biggest game of Itoje’s career this will give Stuart Lancaster an insight if Itoje is ready for the World Cup, while Burgess who has performed well in his new role in the back row, the final will be a perfect platform to show the whole of England that he is deserving of a place in the World Cup squad.

Owen Farrell v George Ford

On Saturday afternoon George Ford and Owen Farrell will go to war once again looking to be instrumental in their side’s securing a Premiership title and also looking to impress Stuart Lancaster with the World Cup only months away.The relationship between the two players goes back quite a while. They have known each other since they were 14 as they attended the same school and lived only metres away from each other. The pair were first capped by England at U16’s level all the way up to U20’s to the senior side. The battle at the tee will be an important factor in who wins Saturday’s final and with both players going into the game hot on form, we are expecting a highly entertaining contest between two of the best 10’s in Europe.

David Strettle v Matt Banahan

The two inform wingers in the league go head to head on Saturday. Matt Banahan has enjoyed a great season for Bath which included a hat-trick against the Tigers last weekend and he  has a knack of being at the right place at the right time to finish off some Bath moves and will look to do more of the same on Saturday. Like a lot of players Strettle will be thinking about impressing Stuart Lancaster and with his reputation as one of the best finishers in the league Banahan will be in for a tough afternoon at Twickenham.

Alex Goode v Anthony Watson

This should be an interesting battle between two players who look certain to make the England World Cup squad. With Watson not being the most impressive players under the highball Goode will look to expose that with some up and unders but he will be aware that if he is not accurate with his kicks Watson could capitalize with the England International most impressive when he has space in front of him.