Learning through failure shifts power to Saracens, but this year’s showpiece could have seismic effects on the wider gameLeinster were a year ago hailed not only as the best team in Europe but potentially the best ever after winning the Champions Cup. Saracens were among their victims, but it is a tournament in which the best dare not stand still. Its history shows clusters of teams who have held sway for a while – Leicester, Toulouse, Munster, Leinster and Toulon – but it is not difficult to see Saracens becoming its most dynastic club. Leinster do not lose many games and hardly any when they have a 10-point advantage just before half-time, but Sarries have this decade become versed in...
Spencer’s performance in the European showdown against Leinster could lead to a World Cup spot for England in JapanSlowly but surely there has been a changing of the guard at Saracens this season. In the four finals they have won in the past three years Richard Wigglesworth has started all of them at scrum-half, implementing the gameplan to a tee. On Saturday it is Ben Spencer’s turn. Related: Leinster out to make Champions Cup history against Saracens Related: Tadhg Furlong: ‘Mako’s a good craic but he’s an horrendous snorer’ Continue reading...
An irresistible force faces an immovable object and the winner will be Europe’s most remarkable champions, bar noneWidespread agreement is rare in rugby but this week is an exception. The two best, most consistent teams in Europe are contesting this year’s Champions Cup final, the only question being who will emerge as first among equals? The collision between the remorseless muscle men of Saracens and the rock-hard sons of Leinster pits an irresistible force against an immovable object. Related: James Haskell calls time on stellar career with regrets and a warning Related: Jamie George: ‘Saracens are going somewhere no club has been before in Europe’ Twitter: follow us at @guardian_sport Continue reading...
Piers O’Conor and Mat Protheroe step up for Bristol, Newcastle left down and out while leaky Leicester require urgent repairsA third Premiership try of the season for Charles Piutau against Sale on Friday night, in what was his ninth league start of the campaign, was not enough to secure the win for Bristol. He has been blighted by injury throughout the season, and is obviously not alone in that, but while Bristol will have hoped for more game-time from their marquee signing, it is to their credit that they have enjoyed such a prosperous return to the Premiership having been denied his services for long parts of the campaign. In his place the youngsters Piers O’Conor and Mat Protheroe stepped...
The No8 has been under scrutiny for his support of Israel Folau and delivered an intense performance in a hostile atmosphere against MunsterHe must have thought he had begun to leave the last 10 days behind him. No sooner had Billy Vunipola scored the try that secured Saracens latest semi-final victory, that secured him the man-of-the-match award, than a Munster fan confronted him after the match, gesticulating aggressively. Vunipola jogged on in a lap of honour, but he knows his support of Israel Folaus socialmedia antics will not be so easy to leave behind.If his performance, or that of his team, is anything to go by, the hostility will only serve to intensify Saracens focus, which sharpens where that of...