Saracens in last chance saloon, admits McCall

MARK McCall accepts that “everything is on the line” when holders Saracens fight for European Champions Cup survival tonight.

Saracens, European champions in 2016 and 2017, will effectively see hat-trick hopes disappear if they fail to beat the Ospreys in Swansea.

Successive Pool Two defeats against French heavyweights Clermont Auvergne last month, which included a 46-14 drubbing at home, have left McCall’s men in danger of pool-stage elimination for the first time since 2011.

Clermont can win the group and secure a last-eight place with victory over already-eliminated Northampton this evening, leaving Saracens chasing one of three best runners-up spots by winning their final two games against Ospreys and Saints.

“It’s a play-off game, it’s a big game,” Saracens’ Ulster-born rugby director McCall (above) said.

“The players want to be involved in quarter-finals, they want to be involved in those games. If we lose, we won’t be. It’s as simple as that really.

“It is the first time for a few years we’ve been in a fifth pool match where everything is on the line. It’s a new experience for us even to be in that position so early in the competition. It is what it is.

“They (Ospreys) have had a good couple of months, but more than that, they’ve got good players right through their team that are playing well.

“Their half-backs are outstanding, they have got a great scrum, they are well coached, they are at home, so there are lots of reasons why it is going to be a difficult game.”

Saracens are boosted for the Liberty Stadium clash by Wales international Liam Williams’ return from a groin-related injury.

Wasps and Exeter are also battling to stay afloat, with Wasps currently three points off second-placed Ulster in Pool One and Aviva Premiership champions Exeter four points behind second-placed Montpellier — their Sandy Park opponents on today — in Pool Three.

Wasps head to Premiership rivals Harlequins. Their form of late hasn’t been the best - although still better than the side they’re up against - but La Rochelle remain one of the most threatening teams in Europe when on song.

Their back-row is an incredible unit whose balance perfectly suits their style. Fijian Levani

Botia who remarkably switches between flanker and centre for the side, is a gigantic presence in the carrying game and is incredibly hard to shift when over the ball. Kevin Gourdon is a more traditional openside flanker who will need negated on the ground

(right),

while Victor Vito is an exceptionally talented figure who doesn’t shirk work either.

Again Ulster are less powerful up front and centre Geoffrey Doumayrou is a gem in midfield. La Rochelle have the best success rate off the tee - although it will be scrum-half Bales with the duties today - in this competition and also top the charts in terms of line-out success.

It is clear, therefore that any repeat of the daft penalties Ulster have been giving up in recent weeks would seriously hamper their chances.