They found out in their first final against Jonny Wilkinson’s Toulon in 2014 what they had to do to become European champions, and first and foremost it was to develop a Saracens pack which was capable of competing against French clubs which are never weak up front.
Going into this season’s tournament it seems to me that Johann van Graan has managed to improve Bath through an effective rotation system that has sharpened their competitive edge, and it should help them to qualify from Pool 2. However, some English clubs might hold back to focus on the Premiership, while others might take the view of really going for it by fielding their strongest teams.
It will be interesting to see which path Harlequins take in Paris in today’s Pool 2 encounter when they face a Racing 92 side under Stuart Lancaster who start this European campaign as Top 14 leaders.
Lancaster has joined a club which has lost three European Cup finals, and Racing will hope that the former England and Leinster coach fits into place as the last piece in the jigsaw that finally sees them win it.
When Lancaster was at Leinster they had an international-strength team, which they rotated so that their strongest 23 was always available for the big games in Europe. It is a different challenge at Racing, and a more difficult one, because for French clubs the Top 14 has always been crucial.
However, with star imports like Springbok World Cup-winning skipper Siya Kolisi and prop Trevor Nyakane, as well as Fijian blockbuster Josua Tuisova, plus French internationals of the calibre of Cameron Woki and Gael Fickou, Lancaster has no shortage of firepower to fight on two fronts.
Esta historia es de la edición December 10, 2023 de The Rugby Paper.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición December 10, 2023 de The Rugby Paper.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
England can find a little bit of cheer
SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.