McCall says Premiership final defeat fuels Saracens' title race
Mark McCall says the pain of agonizing defeat in last season's Premiership final is inspiring Saracens as they look to return to the Twickenham masterpiece.
If Saracens defeat playoff semi-final opponents Northampton on Saturday, they will qualify for a ninth appearance in English rugby's title decider, which takes place on 27 May. Saracens' hopes of being crowned champions of England last year were dashed by Freddie Burns' impressive drop-goal to secure a 15-12 victoryfor Leicester.
"I guess it wasn't so much losing the final, it was how we lost it, which is what drives us, I think,"Saracens director of rugby McCall said on Tuesday. \"It felt like we were playing withourselves. That was how we lost, not because we lost. \"Anyone can lose in a final,knockout matches are hard to win, but when you feel like you haven't done well, you carry it with you all summer. I guess that has pushed this season to some extent
Saracens were top of the regular season table, finishing 16 points clear of Northampton. But Saracens fly half Owen Farrell, the England captain, said the club didn't need to lift a trophy to mark their return to the Premiership three years after they were relegatedfollowing continued salary cap breaches.
“Coming back and doing it (winning the title) in a year's time, we talked about it being special, and we didn't,” Farrell said. "It's another year now and I haven't thought too muchabout it if I'm honest. We'vebeen consistent enough over the last two years, not winning last year, to confirm we're back in the Premiership. \"We want to be at our best, bring out the best in ourselves and I'm sure Northampton is the same.
"I guess it wasn't so much losing the final, it was how we lost it, which is what drives us, I think,"Saracens director of rugby McCall said on Tuesday. \"It felt like we were playing withourselves. That was how we lost, not because we lost. \"Anyone can lose in a final,knockout matches are hard to win, but when you feel like you haven't done well, you carry it with you all summer. I guess that has pushed this season to some extent
Saracens were top of the regular season table, finishing 16 points clear of Northampton. But Saracens fly half Owen Farrell, the England captain, said the club didn't need to lift a trophy to mark their return to the Premiership three years after they were relegatedfollowing continued salary cap breaches.
“Coming back and doing it (winning the title) in a year's time, we talked about it being special, and we didn't,” Farrell said. "It's another year now and I haven't thought too muchabout it if I'm honest. We'vebeen consistent enough over the last two years, not winning last year, to confirm we're back in the Premiership. \"We want to be at our best, bring out the best in ourselves and I'm sure Northampton is the same.
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