While Saracens aren’t heading into the season with the target on their back as the Premiership’s title holders, I personally believe that the fact that they are the back-to-back European champions counts for more.
The squad’s pre-season trip to Bermuda shows that they’re continuing to do things the Saracens way and doesn’t it work well for them? We’ve finally reached a stage where people aren’t having a pop at their trips away and aren’t calling them ‘boring Saracens’ after every game. Hallelujah for that because finally the respect for what they’ve achieved their way has permeated out from just a few of us believing it to the vast majority.
Behind the laughter and smiles shown from Bermuda will be a steel and a determination to snatch that domestic title back and add a third European Champions Cup trophy to their collection at the same time. Lofty goals aren't they? However if you were Mark McCall or a member of his squad, at this point in their time together, would you be targeting anything else? No. I almost guarantee that these ambitions won’t be shared externally however if we all read behind the lines of constant improvement then these must be the goals.
As usual their Director of Rugby’s signings are astute ones and of the quality that you’d expect the back-to-back European Champions to attract. It goes without saying that watching Liam Williams form part of their back line will be a treat, however I’m intrigued to see if he rotates with Alex Goode at full-back or is positioned out wide. Personally, and I'm sure that I'm not alone in thinking this, I’d like to see him at 15 because given the extra room and time of the ball he’s outstanding. Other individuals that are arriving will help to mitigate against any undulations in form when it comes to the international windows for example Will Skelton and Dominic Day will be able to be permanent fixtures in the engine room in the autumn and during the Six Nations. Calum Clark should boost his own output considerably working in such a motivated environment and other key club men like Michael Rhodes and Brad Barritt will be ever-present and critical.
Lessons will have been learned from that semi-final against Exeter with regard to managing the highs of a European final and bouncing straight back into knockout rugby. However in my book the loss on that day it didn’t cause any alarm bells to ring regarding their ability to do that. It was a uniquie and enthralling game and from a Saracens' perspective various individuals were carrying knocks at the time... not excuses just facts.
Will Saracens be ‘found out’ this season as other clubs have studied them even more and can predict their game? Well in all honesty I think not because as a squad Saracens won't be resting on their laurels nor the players at the heart of their output, the likes of Jamie George, the Vunipolas, Owen Farrell and co. Instead progressions will be made and new dynamics introduced. Of course the re-integration of their British & Irish Lions will be an interesting area to watch because notoriously the season after a Lions tour is tough for those coming back. Mark McCall must handle players individually and correctly in order to ensure that they are able to give their all on what could be a challenging season both mentally and physically after New Zealand,
Unique to Saracens’ is the fact that their first home game isn’t until Round 4 however we all know that playing on the road doesn’t phase the 2016 Premiership champions in the slightest. As a squad they'll enjoy Twickenham Stadium, The Rec and the Talen Energy Stadium in Philadelphia before heading back to Allianz Park and I wouldn't be surprised to see them leading the way at the top of the Premiership table after the opening six rounds.
Opening Six Matches: Northampton Saints (Twickenham Stadium), Bath (A), Newcastle Falcons (Philadelphia), Sale Sharks (H), Worcester Warriors (A) and Wasps (H).
Champions Cup Group: ASM Clermont Auvergne, Saracens, Ospreys and Northampton Saints.
Key Player: Brad Barritt. The steel, hunger and focus of this squad is driven by their captain. He is a constant calming presence and will be the man to bind them togehter when their internatioanls leave for large chunks of the domestic season.
