Saracens - 3rd

STORY OF THE SEASON: Hugely impressive when at full strength and then hanging tough when short handed. Saracens know they are going to get hit hard with player absences during the international windows while putting together a competitive European campaign is hugely demanding. So they make hay when the sun shines in the Premiership and cleverly manage their playing resources. This season they started like a train with eight wins out of nine with their solitary defeat coming at Harlequins. That run also included a notable 34-13 win at Exeter and generally they coped well during the autumn Tests bar a narrow defeat at Bath. The Six Nations period was tricky though and there were two defeats and a draw to contend with, but they regrouped afterwards and, despite European commitments, landed six wins in their last seven games, the defeat coming last week at Wasps when they took a calculated risk in resting key players ahead of yesterday’s European Cup final STAND-OUTS: All the usual suspects when at full strength – the Vunipolas, Owen Farrell, Jamie George, Maro Itoje, George Kruis – but for the long haul we are talking skipper Brad Barritt, Michael Rhodes (often deputising at lock), Schalk Brits, Jackson Wray, Richard Wigglesworth, Alex Goode and, increasingly in recent weeks, Argentina’s ultra reliable centre Marcello Bosch. STRENGTHS: Five of the Saracens pack have been selected for the Lions tour of New Zealand which pretty much sums it up and into that mix you can also add the versatile Rhodes, ageless warhorse Jim Hamitlon and four mighty Boks in Schalk Burger, Schalk Brits, Petrus du Plessis and Vincent Kock. Whichever eight they field it all starts up front for Saracens and that’s before the wolf pack defence and fluid attacking game comes into play. WEAKNESSES: Not many. The common theme in their defeats seems to be sides dishing out some of Sarries’ own medicine. Quins’ win in September came after their defence outdid the Wolfpack in its intensity and their front five put some stick about. Discipline can be an issue. Worcester’s 24-18 win came after Sarries conceded a stack of penalties and Ryan Mills found the target eight times. COACH’S CORNER: Mark McCall is an impressive individual who, in the Rob Baxter mould, sees the bigger picture and doesn’t over-react whatever the result or so called crisis. The Ulsterman is becoming a very experienced big match operator and is supported by a talented, ambitious, backroom staff headed by Alex Sanderson and Kevin Sorrell. MIRACLE MAN: He may court controversy but Chris Ashton, left, consistently scores great tries at vital times. PREDICTION: Only a madman bets against Saracens… but here I go. Chiefs to win next Saturday.