TERMINATOR BRAD SAYS: I’LL BE BACK
BRAD BARRITT was labelled “The Terminator” after passing himself fit to captain Saracens in Europe – FIVE days after surgery to fix a broken cheekbone.
The former England centre trained fully yesterday, 24 hours after opting for only local anaesthetic as a titanium plate was inserted in his face via the roof of his mouth.
He then told rugby’s European champions he was OK to lead them against unbeaten top seeds Leinster in Sunday’s Champions Cup quarter-final.
Team-mate Sean Maitland reacted with astonishment to the news, which accompanied confirmation that Billy Vunipola is definitely out and Owen Farrell no better than a 50-50 chance to play in Dublin.
“We couldn’t believe it when we heard, then saw the photos,” said the Scotland wing. “Next minute, he’s back training with the boys. Shows how tough he is – The Terminator.”
Maitland was referring to the cyborg assassin, played by Arnold Schwarzenegger in his movie series.
Barritt, 31, has always had a granite-like reputation for physical toughness, but this takes it to the next level.
“This is not a game you want to miss, we know we’re playing against the form team in Europe,” he said. “I fully expect any other player within this team would do the same.
“They numbed the side of the mouth, created an incision and used what looks like a shoehorn to pull the cheek back, scrape away to the bone, put in a vertical plate and then drill it in.
“I literally rolled in there and was out within 25 minutes. It’s a little bit tender, but I can be 100 per cent confident I can do my role.”
Farrell (right), who injured a quad muscle in England’s defeat by Ireland, has not trained fully with Saracens for 10 weeks. On stand-by is Alex Lozowski.