“Sometimes you need a punch to the face.” The Saracens director of rugby, Mark McCall, offered this line in reference to his team’s surprise defeat last week to Toulon in the European Challenge Cup semi-final. But the same Spartan logic applied to this latest bonus-point victory in the Premiership that underlined their title credentials and secured a home semi-final in their first season back in the top flight.
That 25-16 reverse in France dumped Saracens out of a competition they looked destined to win. And for the first 40 minutes here, including eight minutes with a two-man-advantage, they were disjointed. Despite bossing territory and possession they went into the break 9-10 down. What followed was a resounding reminder that this is an organisation that holds itself to a higher standard.
