'We're going into this game really fresh and excited'
Mark McCall has described Saracens as “fresh and excited” ahead of their final push for a European and domestic trophy double. Exeter stand between Saracens and Gallagher Premiership title glory on Saturday.
If McCall’s men repeat their success against the same opponents they faced a year ago, it would see them crowned Premiership champions for a fifth time.
And having won the Heineken Champions Cup earlier this month, a second double in four seasons awaits, matching Leicester’s two-time feat in 2001 and 2002 if they achieve it.
Although Exeter finished eight points above Saracens after the 22-game regular league campaign, they lost to their fierce rivals in English rugby’s Twickenham showpiece twice during the past three seasons.
“This last eight-week period has been really enjoyable for us,” Saracens rugby director McCall said. “We’ve had the flexibility to rest players between the play-off games, so we are going into this game really fresh and excited about what we see as a brand new challenge.
“But you have to work hard on the day and deserve it on the day. Then you hope some of that experience we’ve got is in there somewhere and will make a difference somehow.
“We have a huge respect for Exeter. To be in a fourth consecutive final and to have had the growth they’ve had over a 10-year period – and they are getting better.”
Saracens displayed world-class quality and unflinching character in beating Champions Cup final opponents Leinster three weeks ago.
? In Focus w/ @owen_faz ?
? Finals experience
? Realising potential
? @ExeterChiefsThe fly-half reveals how useful their knowledge of big games is, a tough Chiefs outfit and being the best you can be at Twickenham. pic.twitter.com/QAANnCPDSa
— Saracens Rugby Club (@Saracens) May 31, 2019
McCall added: “Against Leinster, if you are behind your own posts, you’ve lost your two props (to injury), Maro Itoje has just been sin-binned and you are 10-0 down against a team that have won three European finals fairly recently, the players have to look at each other and go: ‘We’re going to be OK here, and we’ll find a way’.
“And they did. That ability to respond to whatever the game throws at them is what I mean by growth. They are able to deal with these situations better and better.”
Saracens skipper Brad Barritt has overcome a hamstring injury that forced him off during last weekend’s play-off victory over Gloucester, and he starts the final.
??? Inside Sandy Park – Get exclusive behind-the-scenes access from the Gallagher Premiership Semi-Final clash between @ExeterChiefs and @SaintsRugby #Chiefs #semifinal #Rugby https://t.co/DqhOZUyLxK
— Exeter Chiefs (@ExeterChiefs) May 31, 2019
Exeter, meanwhile, join their opponents in fielding an unchanged starting XV, which includes an opportunity for wing Tom O’Flaherty, who scored a spectacular solo try against Northampton six days ago. The Chiefs, league champions in 2017 when they edged out Wasps after extra-time, are aiming to reclaim that status as English top dogs.
Exeter rugby director Rob Baxter said: “I wouldn’t say there is a danger of changing style, but there is a reality to the mistakes we have sometimes made against Saracens into feeling that you can’t do anything. “That’s what they are great at defensively, and it is probably the regret that we had coming out of the last final. When we reviewed it, we felt there was more there for us.
“I look back on that first half (last year) and I regret that we weren’t just a little bit mentally sharper, because physically we were bang on. Mentally, there were just a few moments in the game where we could have really exploited, and that would have made it a really tight second half.
“As it was, that did us. We don’t feel we need to massively change, but we feel we need to play. And when we play, that’s what creates pressure. We don’t want to start kicking from the halfway line. We never have done and we never will. It won’t come to that.”
– Press Association
WATCH: The new episode of Don’t Mess with Jim sees former Saracens player Hamilton preview the Gallagher Premiership final
Comments on RugbyPass
Shows how much attitude matters. Last week the Brumbies got done, this week they dominated the tournament leaders, who were likely thinking they could cruise to victory.
4 Go to commentsA Turtle has more pace and leg drive than Owen Franks, so it’s a good thing he only had to run 90 metres for that try.
2 Go to commentsOh Tamati Tua was in the vastly over-rated Leon MacDonalds Blues system? Well, no wonder he was wasted, much like Emoni Narawa and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens under MacDonald. now look at them. Good thing Tua isn’t eligible, the Aussies latch on to any player who isn’t tied down.
4 Go to commentsMark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
10 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
4 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
4 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
2 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to comments