Itoje sets sights on toppling champions

THREE-TIME Hein- eken Champions Cup winner Maro Itoje has encountered most things in rugby but a trip to La Rochelle is a step into the unknown and one the forward can’t wait to take.

- JON NEWCOMBE

Saracens take on the reigning champions for the first time in their illustrious history at the Stade Marcel-Deflandre with a semi-final place against Exeter Chiefs the prize for the victors.

“I hear it’s an amazing environment, an amazing stadium and they are the current holders of the Cup, and it is incredibly exciting,” the 28-year-old England lock said.

“I am a reasonably experienced player at this point but this is a place I haven’t been, I haven’t experienced, and it is a great occasion for us and we are massively looking forward to the opportunity.”

La Rochelle’s yellow army pack out the Stade Marcel-Deflandre for every game and another sell-out, and hostile reception, is guaranteed.

Saracens came unstuck, losing 25-16, when faced by a wall of noise at the Stade Mayol for last year’s European Challenge Cup semi-final against Toulon.

And director of rugby Mark McCall put his hands up this week and said the Saracens management got the preparation wrong for that fixture.

“We didn’t big the game up and prepare the players for what they were walking into, we got a lot wrong that week” was the Saracens’ boss honest appraisal.