Saracens are determined to build on firm defensive foundations as they target an overdue run of success in the Premiership.
Victory against struggling Leeds at Vicarage Road today could take Saracens into the top four, which would be no mean achievement given their struggles of recent seasons. They have conceded just four tries so far this term, which amounts to the third-best defensive record of any Premiership club.
Defence expert Mike Ford, who is strongly tipped to join Sir Clive Woodward's coaching team for the Lions tour of New Zealand next summer, has played a key role in establishing a lean, mean Saracens unit.
'We've been working very hard on defence and set plays for the early part of this season, and currently, we have the third-best defensive record,' said Saracens coach Rod Kafer.
'It has been a case of getting that right before progressing. What we will be looking to do now is concentrate more on our attacking game, which is something that will happen on the training pitch in the next few weeks.'
Saracens, despite a lengthy injury list, are firm favourites to defeat a Leeds team reeling from successive losses against Gloucester, Leicester and Wasps.
Centre Thomas Castaignède, fly-half Mark Bartholomeusz, prop Cobus Visagie and lock Iain Fullarton all miss today's encounter, but Saracens can still field more than half a dozen internationals, including former Leeds back Dan Scarbrough.
'We picked up a number of injuries last week, and the challenge now will be for those guys coming in to step up to the mark,' added Kafer. 'We are expecting a tough game against Leeds. The Premiership has been very close so far, with little to separate the teams, and that could happen all season.'
Leeds are set to give former England full-back Tim Stimpson a debut off the bench, and there is a start for Tykes' ex-Saracens lock Stuart Hooper.
Champions Wasps will be quietly confident of a home win against London Irish, even though they are without several big names through injury. Lawrence Dallaglio was the latest player to join the casualty list when he suffered a rib problem during Wasps' victory over Leeds last Sunday, but a rapid recovery means that rugby director Warren Gatland might field him among the replacements.
In Dallaglio's absence from the starting line-up, Wasps will be captained by England back-row forward Joe Worsley. 'I must admit that I was rather surprised when Warren asked me to lead the side, but it is a great honour and something I hope to do well,' Worsley said. 'We've had a sluggish start to the season, but a win would give us a good boost. Irish though, have always provided a stern test for us.'
Irish endured a punishing week on the training field following their five-try drubbing against Leicester last time out, and coach Gary Gold has handed wing Justin Bishop and scrum-half Paul Hodgson their first starts of the campaign.
Sale coach Philippe Saint-Andre was pleased with his side's display after their clinical 57-3 demolition of Worcester. Back rower Chris Jones grabbed a hat-trick of tries as the Sharks opened up a four-point lead at the top of table.
The defeat leaves Worcester still looking for their first win in the top flight but Saint-Andre was determined to show them no mercy at Edgeley Park. He said: 'One of our targets was not to concede a try and we did not concede a try so I'm very happy. We respected Worcester a lot and that is one of the reasons we won. We were scared of Worcester.
'We got to use the whole squad of 22 players which is very positive. Our only worries are the injuries to the two wingers Mark Cueto and Steve Hanley. I hope they are not serious but we do not know at the moment. It will take a few days to find out.
'It is just four games so we must focus and have a good week of training. The target is to be in the Heineken Cup next year. If you want to attract and keep the best players you must be playing in the top competition in Europe.'
You've read the piece, now have your say. Email your comments, be as frank as you like, we can take it, to sport.editor@guardianunlimited.co.uk, or mail the Observer direct at sport@observer.co.uk
