WARRIORS CAN PULL A FLANKER
history with an impressive 35-24 win over reigning Pro12 champions Connacht despite having less than 20 per cent of possession in the first half.
And Harley is convinced the bonus-point victory at Scotstoun set them up for a game in North London that can have a similar outcome.
He said: “It’s key we have the same kind of preparation going into this game as we had against Connacht.
“It’s about having that same focus we had in training and in the game. We need that same competition within the squad to drive us up to that level.
“We know they are a good team and the challenge they pose. Although we will do a bit of work on them, we will be talking about what we can do well and how we can impose ourselves.
“There is an aspect of it that we won’t get too carried away by what they can do and try to look at our own performance.”
Townsend has watched his Warriors take Leicester Tigers and Racing 92 scalps en route to the knockout stages in his fifth and final season in charge at Scotstoun.
And Scotland star Harley believes their six-try whitewash of Leicester at Welford Road as well as back-to- back wins over the French cracks offers evidence of their growing expectations in Europe. He said: “There have been a few games in Europe this season that have laid a marker of what we can do. “The games against Leicester and Racing 92 were about putting in good performances for the 80 minutes – that laid down a marker for how we can play. “We’ve shown we can do it – it’s about how we prepare throughout the week and hopefully we can repeat those results. “We will be repeating the same processes we’ve used for the other European games we’ve had. “We’ve had some good away wins this year like Racing and Leicester and it’s about making sure we raise our intensity and put things into plan. It’s the same prize and the same processes – it’s about what we can do to break them down.
“It’s also about the analysis when you play in Europe and play big games. There is an extra bit of excitement within the squad and you can feel that in training.
“That’s a good thing as it helps to build the atmosphere as we prepare for this challenge.”
Saracens’ squad boasts a host of England stars who lifted the Six Nations title last month, among them lock Maro Itoje who was shortlisted for player of the tournament, an accolade Harley’s Warriors team-mate Stuart Hogg ended up winning.
The Allianz Park defence is also a who’s who of big names branded the Wolf Pack, although Harley is adamant Glasgow are spoiled for choice when it comes to their starting line-up too – strength in depth that could provide the key to success today.
He said: “There is competition within the squad, there is an extra bit of physicality in training and we have all felt the lift.
“That sets the tone for what will happen this weekend. We are lucky to have that depth within the squad – there are a lot of people challenging for places.
“We know Saracens are a big physical side. They play on a pitch similar to ours and are confident in kicking the ball. They’ll have the ability to switch between styles.
“We wi l l be looking to impose our game. It’s about how well we deal with the physicality of what we want to do and how well we adapt.”