Saracens’ future is shrouded in doubt
SARACeNS are out of their european bubble and staring into the abyss. The glorious diversion of a Champions Cup campaign has given way to an uncertain future, at least in the short term.
Saturday’s agonising defeat by Racing 92 has forced Mark McCall and his squad to accept the uncomfortable reality of their looming fall from grace. But where to now for the club collectively and so many of its high-profile players individually?
In theory, a week from now they will be destined for the Championship, but there is no knowing when the country’s second division will launch its 2020-21 season.
Given the warnings that empty grounds make the under-funded league unviable — and the possibility crowds won’t be allowed until April — there may not be a proper campaign at all, which threatens a rapid Saracens return to the Premiership.
A core of senior england players have committed to stay but short-term loans may now be considered, if there is an empty fixture list next spring. Owen Farrell, Maro Itoje, Billy and Mako Vunipola, Jamie George and elliot Daly will be in Test mode this autumn and for the Six Nations but after that they will need game-time before the Lions tour of South Africa.
After next season, Ben earl, Max Malins, Nick Isiekwe, Alex Goode and Jack Singleton are all due to return from loans elsewhere, but will that happen if Saracens haven’t bounced back?
Others such as Manu Vunipola, Rotimi Segun, Sam Crean and Dom Morris have also emerged as proof that the club’s academy remains a formidable talent production line. But they will need to know that they can compete in the Premiership to advance their careers.
As George admitted: ‘ The element of the unknown is horrendous. God knows what we are going to be facing but we are used to being thrown curveballs.’
There may yet be an alternative. There are now grave concerns that one or more of the elite clubs will go out of business, within months. Worcester are thought to be especially vulnerable and their owners have spoken frankly about facing a ‘fight for survival’.
If the Premiership dozen become 11 because one club is unable to stay afloat, the latest indications are that the rest would do whatever is necessary to keep the show on the road. That could mean offering Saracens a reprieve by keeping them in the league rather than banishing them for past salary cap offences. Principles would be trumped by pragmatism.
Saracens could find themselves in limbo in the new year, or still in the Premiership. They could be loaning out more players, or needing to strengthen again in a hurry.
The golden era is over and nobody knows yet what the next phase will look like. McCall’s squad are bound to be in title- chasing mode again at some stage — but when is anyone’s guess.