The three-times Champions Cup winners face Bordeaux-Begles on the back of four defeats in their last six matches with their last win on the road coming against Harlequins in November.
The champions have slipped into the bottom half of the Premiership and face a team unbeaten at home since La Rochelle's visit 10 months ago and boasting Damian Penaud and Louis Bielle-Biarrey on their flanks.
"They have been outstanding," said Saracens coach Kevin Sorrell. "They have not lost in recent times (since October), although Bayonne pushed them close last weekend. They are a side with multiple threats, a strong pack, good halfbacks and centres with a relationship, symbiotic and they revel in unstructured play.
"We are up and down, striving for consistency. There have been moments when we look like the animal we want to be and others when we are off it. We feel we are close, but the last bit is always the hardest to nail."
One area where Saracens have struggled, and it cost them in recent Premiership defeats at Sale and Leicester when they were regularly penalised, is the scrum which has been missing a number of leading front rowers.
Denne historien er fra January 14, 2024-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Denne historien er fra January 14, 2024-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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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
HIGH-FLYING Trinity have made a remarkable turnaround this season after narrowly avoiding relegation last term, heading into this weekend unbeaten and are now eyeing up promotion from Level 7.
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.
