Cowan’s delighted to be back soaking in the ‘festival atmosphere’ at the Aviva Stadium

BLAIR Cowan’s inclusion in the Saracens 23 against Leinster suggests that the English side are not as short on impact off the bench for their European Cup quarter-final as advertised.

The 31-year-old Kiwi-born back row forward, who won the last of his 17 Scotland caps in the 2016 Six Nations, is cock-a-hoop at the prospect of playing in Saracens’ biggest fixture of the season after joining the club on loan from London Irish until the summer recess.

The marauding Cowan, who has been with Saracens for less than a month, said he is relishing the chance to play again at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. “I haven’t been this excited for such a big occasion since playing international rugby.”

He added: “It’s super exciting to go through with a squad with the pedigree of Saracens. The last time I was at the Aviva was with Scotland when we played Ireland in a warm up match before the 2015 World Cup – we ran them close, and I managed to score a try. I like playing against the Irish, they are very passionate about their rugby, and their supporters are really loud and treat it a bit like a festival.”

Cowan, who has mobility and the versatility to play at 6, 7 or 8, arrived as cover following a spate of injuries in the Saracens back row. He is impressed by the environment he has stepped into.

“I haven’t been with the club through the growing stages, but I can see why they are so good. There is this trust with each other, and positivity even when their backs are to the wall. They are such a tight group – so punchy in what they do – that you see a unity and real collectiveness and belief.

“It comes from the players,

the coaches, and at the top from Nigel Way, who is usum ally at the team runs at the at the end of each week. He came up and made a point of being friendly and welcoming me, small and knew details make a difference. my name. Those

“The coaches have also been really good, making it simple, with not too much

detail – although you have to be really sharp.”

As for the battle ahead, Cowan gives Leinster their due: “A lot of their players will be oozing with confidence from the Six Nations, and they are stacked with talent.

“We are aware of the size of the challenge, but this is what you play for. However, Saracens are also a very diverse team, with guys like Schalk Burger and Schalk Brits providing a different layer, as well as a lot of guys in form like Sean Maitland.”

Cowan adds to that diversity, and experience – and if he gets the chance he will be on a mission to show that he is not in Dublin to make up the numbers.