We do not put pressure on referees, insists Barritt
Saracens have hit back at claims by Glasgow Warriors that they deliberately pressurise referees, ahead of Saturday’s European Champions Cup quarter-final at Allianz Park.
The two pool matches between the teams were feisty encounters and Dave Rennie, the Glasgow head coach, said he believes Saracens indulge in dubious tactics to try to get decisions overturned.
“If Saracens make an error, it is often followed by a lot of push and shove from them to bring the referee in to change a decision,” said Rennie, who is adamant that Saracens do it on purpose.
“Absolutely. I’ve seen them do it. Saracens against every side they play. We’ve got to be smart around that sort of thing. We saw it up here. We had a decision went our way and then a bit of push and shove, [Glasgow hooker] Fraser Brown gets penalised and they got three points out of it. It’s clearly a ploy.”
Saracens dismissed the accusation. “That is news to me and I have played here for 11 years and didn’t know that,” said Saracens captain Brad Barritt. “We talk about supporting our team-mates and like to show our togetherness. If it is an individual mistake, it is about getting that guy refocused.
“The only thing we actively support is getting our team-mates back
on track and knowing we will cover them.”
Saracens won both pool games against the Warriors to finish unbeaten at the top of the table and claim home advantage. Their 13-3 victory in the opening round at Scotstoun came at a cost, with six significant injuries to players, a casualty list that included broken noses for Maro Itoje and Jamie George.
“I think there will be added spice as there will be a few feelings carried over from the last two games,” said Barritt. “They were both very tasty encounters. The breakdown was hotly contested and the added spice between English and Scottish teams is always going to carry a flavour. It’s something that we relish.”
One of the many contentious moments at Scotstoun came when Itoje did a mock celebration following a Glasgow drive over the tryline that was ruled out, with the home players not aware the referee’s whistle had blown.
“It is probably not something that was premeditated or something Maro would do again,” admitted Barritt. “It was probably a spur-of-the-moment thing. We had sustained a lot of pressure and that is a bit of over-excitement on Maro’s part, signifying how hard we had worked to snuff them out and what a big momentum swing it was.”
Itoje is back for his first game in seven weeks since injuring a knee against Ireland, while his England team-mates, fly-half Owen Farrell and lock George Kruis, also return after being given time off last week.
Prop Mako Vunipola is still injured, but is expected to be fit for the Premiership match against Bristol on April 13.