Sarries’ togetherness makes McCall proud
MARK McCall insisted the loyalty that kept Saracens from falling apart during the salary cap scandal was evident as they claimed a place in the Gallagher Premiership final with victory over Harlequins on Saturday, writes Duncan Bech.
Saracens showed remarkable resilience to topple the league champions in their play-off at the Stone X Stadium despite the yellow cards shown to Elliot Daly, Billy Vunipola and Alex Lozowski in a brutal final quarter.
It means they will be present at Twickenham for the showpiece next weekend in their first season back in the top flight after being relegated for salary cap breaches.
“It’s been a tough two and half years and it was a problem of our own making,” McCall said.
“Mistakes were made, but 99 per cent of the people here weren’t responsible for what happened and that’s never talked about.
“Every one of them, staff and players, had a reason to leave and an excuse to go if they wanted, but none did. That loyalty probably saved the club to be honest.
“We saw out on the field against
SARACENS ....................... 34 HARLEQUINS .................. 17
Harlequins where that loyalty comes from, that togetherness that exists. This is a special group of players and I couldn’t be prouder.”
Ben Earl scored three of Sarries’ five tries while Owen Farrell was in commanding form at fly-half as Quins lacked the firepower to break down a determined home defence.
“We played some good rugby and defended well when we had to. We spent the last 20 minutes with either 14 men or 13 men,” McCall said. “To be down a man against an attack as good as Quins for that length of time is tough and showed the level of resolve, resilience and fight we have. We scrapped for everything and that’s the thing that always pleases us the most.”
Harlequins raced 12-3 ahead, but it was all downhill from there.
“Clearly we’re really gutted. We came in with high hopes and expectations of delivering a good performance and getting to a final, but clearly the scoreboard said no,” Quins coach Tabai Matson said.