The statistics from Saracens’ 2013/14 Aviva Premiership season make for impressive reading; they recorded 19 wins and just 3 losses, they had the most points scored and they notched up the most try bonus points. However as we all know when it came down to the final hurdle things didn't go to plan as both the Heineken Cup and the Aviva Premiership Trophy were lifted by their opponents. It is difficult for us as outsiders to comprehend just how tough it must have been to lose both, especially given the manner in which the Aviva Premiership Final ended and I expect that there are some individuals within Saracens' squad that haven't got over the losses and in fact never will do.
Signings have been few and far between at Allianz Park, indeed they have made just four, only the Northampton Saints and Harlequins have made fewer. Jim Hamilton arrives to fill the gap left in the engine room, Kieran Longbottom and Juan Figallo replace Matt Stevens and Mike Ellery switches from 7s to the XVs game. Is their lack of signings a problem? In a word, no. The depth that was already housed within the Saracens squad is mighty; being able to effectively use a rotational policy and maintain such a high standard of rugby is testament to the calibre of their existing squad. Trying to single out one individual for praise when you have the names Strettle, Bosch, Hodgson, Brits, Burger, Farrell, Ashton, Goode, Barritt and Vunipola x2 on the squad list is near-on impossible, as stated their power lies in their depth. However it must be pointed out that the loss of one man; Steve Borthwick, is a great one. Both on and off the field he gave so much to the club and new captain Alistair Hargreaves knows that he has some extremely large shoes to fill. In saying that Al has the full backing of his Director Of Rugby Mark McCall who describes his as 'ideally qualified' and he should thrive on the responsibility handed to him.
In all honesty Saracens don’t need to change their game plan from last season, their backs play inventive rugby, their forwards dominate the set piece and when it comes to the breakdown they clean up. Saracens used to be branded as boring, they used to be called un-inventive however anyone that watched the 2013/14 Aviva Premiership season will know those days are a long gone. David Strettle and Co consistently make breaks and run back line moves that any Aviva Premiership team would be proud of and in Schalk Brits they have the most complete Hooker in the competition; he has the technical skills of a forward and the feet and vision of the back... he is one of a kind. Collectively the Wolfpack tear teams apart and driven by such frustration and hurt they will be more ferocious than ever.
Only Saracens will be able to tell you why their Heineken Cup and Aviva Premiership Finals didn't pan out in the way that they imagined and why key moments and pressure points didn't go their way. This year they will do everything in their power to not let this happen again, in the Aviva Premiership they must be consistent and clinical and in Europe they will have to be giants with Munster, ASM Clermont Auvergne and the Sale Sharks standing in their way.
