Saracens’ record European defeat at Bordeaux leaves the Men in Black seeking a dramatic return to form – and begging a favour – to rescue their Champions Cup campaign.
Mark McCall’s men slipped to a chastening 55-15 loss in France on Sunday night, their heaviest ever in continental competition.
Saracens have now lost five of their last seven matches across all competitions.
Rugby director McCall admitted the club are in the midst of another transitionary phase in the wake of their 19-10 defeat at Leicester on January 6.
Failing to qualify for the Champions Cup’s last 16 would represent more than a bump in the road however, as Saracens seek the latest in a long line of squad reinventions.
Saracens will host Lyon in their final Champions Cup pool stage clash on Saturday, by which point their qualification requirements will be clear.
Saracens must better Bristol’s position to reach the last 16, with Pat Lam’s side heading to their boss’ old stomping ground of Connacht on Friday night.
Saracens and Bristol are locked on five points apiece in pool one. Any tie on match points will then be settled by points difference, where Bristol currently boast a one-point superiority.
By the time Saracens host Lyon, they will know exactly what they require to reach the knockout stage.
While this mid-season slump is wholly out of character for the three-time European champions, Saracens boss McCall has also already hinted that the north Londoners are aiming to peak post the Six Nations.
Saracens host Exeter on January 27 – then do not play again competitively until entertaining Harlequins at Tottenham on March 23.
That unprecedented mid-season month off represents a clear staging post for the campaign.
Squeeze through in Europe now, and Saracens will consider themselves well able to launch a dual assault on both the Champions Cup and the Premiership – but the margin for error has almost run out.
