Mark McCall has insisted that Saracens are just as ready to defend their Gallagher Premiership title the hard way as the easy way.
The Saracens chief has vowed that his team will be just as comfortable tackling an away semi-final as a home tie, in an ominous warning to the rest of the league.
Saracens host Sale at StoneX Stadium on Saturday, needing a result to secure a home tie for what will prove their 14th Premiership semi-final match.
The Men In Black secured their play-off spot last weekend, but want to nail down home advantage for yet another assault on the league title.
Saracens have won six Premiership crowns in 10 finals, dominating English club rugby for a generation.
A magnificent seventh title would move them past Bath and Wasps into outright second on the list of all-time winners.
Few teams have lifted the title after an away semi-final, but McCall is unfazed, especially as he sees the reigning champions as having struck their best form of the season at the perfect time.
“If we’ve got to go away for a semi-final, we’ve got to go away,” said McCall.
“We managed to win five out of nine away matches this year, which is a good record.
“Our team spirit is very strong at the moment.
“There’s been a lot of tough team moments and a lot of adversity as a group along the way this season.
“But we’re playing our best rugby and probably just got our best team energy at the right time.”
Former England captain Owen Farrell will leave his sole club this summer, heading for Racing 92.
Brothers Mako and Billy Vunipola will head to Montpellier too, as Saracens negotiate another end-of-an-era summer.
McCall revealed former Scotland centre Duncan Taylor has assumed the role of unofficial Saracens alumni director, to add to his day job on the women’s team coaching staff.
“Relationships don’t end when players leave, and thankfully we’ve experienced players moving away but staying in touch for a long time,” said McCall.
“We want to have alumni who feel part of things, appreciated and welcome back.
“And Duncan Taylor has got a bit of a role to play to knit that together.
“You see the playing group and the staff more than you see your family. You can’t underestimate the strength of those relationships.
“There’s some sadness of course, because we won’t get to see them as much.
“But they are not away yet, and thankfully we are able to extend our time together by a couple of weeks, at least, and that’s something to really look forward to.”
