Sarries in Euro zone
ALEX LOZOWSKI believes Saracens can go to Ireland and do a job on Leinster in the Champions Cup quarter-final on Sunday, even without some of their biggest players.
Lozowski scored 14 points as Saracens beat Harlequins in front of 55,329 spectators at the London Stadium in a match that hardly got out of the blocks.
One of those spectators was Owen Farrell, who missed the game with a thigh injury and is rated as doubtful to make the clash in Dublin.
Billy Vunipola is also unlikely to overcome his wrist injury and George Kruis is struggling with his back, but Saracens have been here before.
Last year they travelled to Dublin and beat Munster 26-10 in the semi-finals on their way to lifting the trophy for the second time and Lozowski – who would be the one to vacate the No10 jersey if Farrell is fit – believes they can repeat the trick.
“We went there last season and played Munster and had a good result,” said Lozowski. “We can take confidence from that.
“Leinster are a brilliant team full of Ireland players and they are full of confidence. We are going to have to be at our best and take it up a few gears from today.
“When you look at the two teams there will be internationals across the board. I imagine it will have Test-match intensity and these European Cup games are often like Test matches. We will need our big players to stand up.
“We will have a couple of days off, get energised and come in firing on Tuesday.”
One of the big players will be Maro Itoje, who enjoyed his best game of the season in a strangely muted stadium on a not-so Super Saturday.
The lock scored a try – beating three defenders – and was back to his physical best after being accused of looking tired in the Six Nations by Sir Clive Woodward.
Itoje, who was named Sportsman of the Year at the British Ethnic Diversity Sports Awards on Saturday night, even celebrated his 31st-minute score by pretending to be asleep in a dig at his critics.
Lozowski said: “He has been full of energy. He is a phenomenal player and also a big voice in the team. We rely on him a lot and he is happy to shoulder that responsibility.
“He speaks well in the group and leads by example in his actions. It is great to have him back.”
Liam Williams scored Saracens’ other try and they now sit second in the Premiership table, eight points behind Exeter.