The biggest frustration for Maro Itoje at Saracens this season

Maro Itoje demanded Saracens build on a famous victory after they ignited a disappointing season by edging Toulouse 20-14 in their Investec Champions Cup clash at StoneX Stadium.

Director of rugby Mark McCall held clear-the-air talks with his players and coaching staff after last Saturday’s lifeless 36-28 defeat at Leicester that resulted in the club’s slump to sixth in the Gallagher Prem.

And the “honesty” session had the desired effect as Saracens overcame a shaky start against the six-time European champions to take control of the game with number eight Tom Willis the star performer.

“A lot of people thought we were going to lose that game and probably rightly so because of some of our performances so far this season,” captain Itoje said.

“The challenge for us now is to make sure we’re consistent. We’re not saying that we’re going to win every game, but the fight and the mentality needs to be consistent.

“For me, it actually wasn’t really about the result. It was about the character of the team and how we were going to show up.

“The frustrating thing this year from the Saracens’ point of view is that we haven’t been showing up in the manner in which we’ve been accustomed to, so when results don’t go your way, it’s even more frustrating.

“We just want to really go after it. It sounds somewhat basic, and as professionals we should do it anyway, but we just want to really attack each day.”

A host of players stood up on an important night for Saracens, but none more so than Willis who was named man of the match to secure bragging rights over younger brother and Toulouse flanker Jack.

Willis leaves north London to rejoin Bordeaux next season but he is giving everything to the cause until he heads back to the Top 14.

“Both Willises played really well. Jack had his trademark turnovers again and again. He’s a big player for them and he did really well,” said Itoje.

“Tom is a massive player for us. He’s a great ball-carrier. He’s probably the most awkward ball-carrier I’ve seen.

“He finds a way to go forward off a standing start and he can just wriggle his body, wriggle his hips through contact. He was fantastic and he has been fantastic.

“He’s probably been one of our more consistent performers this year. Both Willises played well but I’ll give it by just a slight nudge to Tom.”

Itoje was making his first start since suffering a niggling knee injury that needed a break from playing to heal.

“My right knee had been grumbling for a while but by the end of the autumn the grumbling turned into crying, so I had to have a little time off just to let it recover,” he said.

“No-one wants to be injured, but it was a good opportunity for me to get the knee right and get myself right.”