Reigning champions Saracens have a key advantage over their playoff rivals in terms of knowing what it takes as a squad to get over the line and proved it on Friday night with a hard-fought win over Bath at The Rec.
League leaders North- ampton last won the Premiership a decade ago, Harlequins’ only domestic title in 12 years came in 2021 when Sarries were in the Championship, Bristol have never been crowned champions of England, while Bath’s Courage League Division 1 triumph in 1996 came when the majority of their current squad weren’t born.
Mark McCall’s men have won five out of the last nine finals, only losing one to Leicester Tigers in 2022 but this season has been shaky, crashing out of Europe in the last 16 courtesy of a dismantling by Bordeaux Begles, while also suffering back-to-back Premiership defeats to start the season, as well as losses at home in crunch matches with Northampton and Bath.
However, due to the wealth of experience in their squad, Sarries are still the bookmakers title favourites but face a difficult final two games, away at in-form Bristol before hosting Sale Sharks in a repeat of last year’s final.
Tompkins, 29, has been with Saracens for 12 years and has been one of the league’s standout centres this term. He says the squad have rallied to make sure their frame of mind is right heading into their pivotal encounters.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der April 28, 2024-Ausgabe von The Rugby Paper.
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Sleightholme shows he has pace to burn
OLLIE Sleightholme recently clocked his fastest sprint time and is racing to cement his spot as an England starter.
McGoverne says playing for Chiefs is her priority
EXETER fly-half Olivia McGoverne has opted for club over country which will rule her out of contention for New Zealand’s World Cup bid in 2025.
Trinity aim to get the culture right
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YOUNG GUNS
Louie Gulley experienced the environment of England U20s’ World Championship triumph up close this summerand now has a burning desire to become an age-grade star. The 19-year-old Exeter Chiefs hooker was part of Mark Mapletoft’s squad but didn’t manage to make an appearance during the tournament.
The Cherry & Whites lay down marker over Lucs
CAMBORNE maintained their lead at the top of the table with a bonus-point win against their nearest challengers in a pulsating game.
A brace from Botterill is key to victory for Esher
A highly entertaining and enthralling contest between two sides fighting at the foot of the table was eventually won by Esher after the lead had changed no less than seven times throughout an absorbing afternoon.
Chiefs in hunt for new investment
TONY Rowe has confirmed the search for new investors into Exeter Chiefs has begun as he looks to safeguard the longterm future of the Premiership club.
McParland keen to shine for England A
NORTHAMPTON scrum-half Archie McParland feels he has returned a better player following a nasty injury that denied him a World Cup winners medal and is now ready to fly into a new opportunity with England A.
Undercard get chance to show their A-game
ENGLAND’S A team today get their first major work-out after being resurrected earlier this year when Australia’s undercard provide the opposition at The Stoop.
England look like a clueless rabble
I WATCHED with a growing sense of bewilderment as England yet again took to the field against Australia looking to all intents and purpose as if they had just been introduced to each other on the coach into Twickenham.
