For the first time in three years, Saracens are back in the latter stages of the Champions Cup. If they are to add to the three titles they secured in the 2010s, they will have to do it the hard way – with a quarter-final at the home of the champions La Rochelle on Easter Sunday.
They were hardly at their best here in seeing off a feisty Ospreys challenge, but an opportunist try by Duncan Taylor, with the replacement centre’s first touch, broke the back of a match the visitors had led for the most part. Saracens have already confirmed a home playoff in the Premiership, such has been their form, but as notable as any characteristic in the panoply of their qualities is the ability to secure a result when they are a little off.
