McCall: Saracens will come back stronger
SARACENS will take their Premiership Final defeat firmly on the chin and use it as motivation to ensure they come back fighting next time.
Director of rugby Mark McCall rallied his troops as they continue to lick their wounds from last weekend’s loss to Leicester at Twickenham.
McCall admitted failing to lift the title for a sixth time was “a huge disappointment” having started the contest as favourites and with their top international stars back in form at the right time.
However, the men in black were unable to cope with Tigers’ own impressive and physical defensive power or their attack which yielded two tries while Sarries failed to cross their rivals’ line.
McCall, however, insists the feeling of anguish and what might have been will merely act as a catalyst insisting: “It certainly doesn’t feel like the end of our journey. On the contrary, this group of players are at the start of something. The potential of the squad and the growth within it, is massive.
“We can use the pain we are feeling over the loss to Leicester in a constructive way to come back stronger next summer. That has always been the way this club has been. You accept the disappointments, deal with them and look ahead at what lies ahead in the future.
“The main disappointment about the final was we didn’t play anywhere near our best. No doubt the players will think about it during the summer, whether they are on their breaks or away touring. But they will take these things on the chin and move on, and they will all be excited about what they can achieve in the future here at Sarries.”
McCall expects Billy Vunipola to shine on England’s tour to Australia having regained his place in the squad for three-Test campaign which starts on Saturday.
Vunipola, 29, won the last of his 61 caps during the 2021 Six Nations, and McCall has nothing but praise for his big No.8 who began to reproduce his old form at the latter stages of the Premiership season.
He says: “Billy has been outstanding throughout the season and has been a shining light for us, especially in the last few months. He has had to deal with his injury setbacks and being left out of the England squad for a while. But he has always showed incredible mental resolve to carry and giving the club everything he has.”