Saracens can secure a top-two Gallagher Premiership finish this weekend, and in the process put city rivals Harlequins in major play-off jeopardy.
The Men In Black have powered to a six-point lead with a game in hand at the Premiership summit in the absence of all their Test stars.
Now though, the big guns will roll out as Sarries host Quins at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in a pivotal league derby.
Hugh Tizard traded Harlequins for Saracens last summer, and as well as facing old friends on Saturday, the 22-year-old lock will review a profitable eight months in north London.
Tizard has moved out of the family home, got to grips with Saracens’ set-piece supremacy – and helped Mark McCall’s men return their best results of the season during the tricky Test windows.
“Across the autumn and the Six Nations it’s been our most successful block in the Premiership, without the international players, so that’s been really pleasing,” Tizard told Standard Sport.
“Lads have been getting opportunities they otherwise wouldn’t get, then this week it’s nice to have everyone back and it feels like we can really push on towards the end of the season.
“It’s an interesting time, I’ve really enjoyed it, it’s been a bigger role for myself, they are big boots to fill. It’s put us in a really good position.
“We’re five points away from a home semi-final. We’re where we want to be, and we haven’t lost any momentum.
“I think there will be no extra focus on that though. We’ve had a great season; a really, really good season.
“And as the games get bigger and more important, it’s all about building momentum.”
Dad Jeremy still gives Tizard hints and tips, but the Saracens lock has flown the nest and set up a St Albans house-share with academy star Olly Hartley.
“I’ve loved the move to Saracens, I feel like my performances have improved as I’ve got minutes under my belt.
“The eight months have flown by, right from the first week I was able to see just how close everyone was, and they’ve made me feel so welcome.
“You quickly buy into the ethos, and within a few weeks you’re made to feel as much of a Saracens man as anyone else.
“I always say I didn’t really have a choice but to play rugby, because my dad is such a massive fan of the sport. He managed to watch five games last weekend.
“He absolutely loves it and it’s become a big thing for our family. I’ve got three sisters and they are at every game, it’s nice they’ve taken such a liking to it.
“It was a big change moving out of home but it’s come at a great time.
“Quins have had a tough couple of months but you know they can always turn up and beat anyone.
“They are very dangerous, especially on what will be a great surface.
“It’s going to be an exciting game, a tough one, but I do back us.”
