They have the wealth and the depth of squad, and the weekly demands of Premiership rugby make them battle-hardened. They lead their league, unbeaten. Handily, they and Toulouse have Connacht and Zebre in their pool.
It will not be straightforward for them against Connacht in Galway on Friday. But even so, the credibility of the Heineken Cup – badly impaired by the English and French withdrawal from the end of the season – is ruined by the imbalance between the pools.
The seeding system that has given Saracens and Toulouse their quarter-final invitations has also lumped Northampton, the Ospreys, Castres and Leinster together. Clermont, Racing, Harlequins and Scarlets are in the same boat.
English coaches complain of the rigour of European qualification while teams such as Zebre are waved through.
They also complain that the French plutocracy allows the Top 14 sides a depth of squad unimaginable here.
In this, Saracens are an exception. Even with Charlie Hodgson injured, they could afford to stand England fly-half Owen Farrell down to the bench in last Saturday’s game with Wasps. Sarries’ back-row resources are as great as even the wealthiest French squad.
Then there is their rugby, now developed from low-risk tedium into an all-court game that can be tailored to any opposition and any conditions.
If they went all the way, for the players it would exceed even Saracens’ Premiership title of 2012 as their greatest club achievement. Whether those behind them in the boardroom are so bothered is another question.
Saracens can sign off with style
No comments:
Post a Comment