McCall’s men could face trouble in Europe, too
SARACENS could find themselves on the wrong side of European rules if they field an obvious second-string side in the Heineken Champions Cup to prioritise the Premiership. Mark McCall, their director of rugby, revealed on Saturday that their focus for the season would be on avoiding Premiership relegation if their 35-point penalty stands. He indicated they would therefore play their younger players in European games. ‘We have got to plan for the worst-case scenario, which will affect our strategy around the Champions Cup,’ he said. Yet European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) indicated to Sportsmail they will be monitoring the squads put forward, as they responded to a request for a response to McCall’s comments by pointing to the tournament rules. Rule 6.25 of the 2019-20 Heineken Champions Cup rules says: ‘Subject to the provisions of this section — as well as player rotation within the tournament squad (exercised in good faith), the reasonable and customary need to rest players, injuries and international call-ups, each club must field its strongest possible team for each match in which it competes.’ Saracens are already facing punishment from EPCR for not turning up to the competition’s launch event in Cardiff last week. Their No 8 Jackson Wray said the squad had been ‘devastated’ by the points deduction and £5.4million fine from the independent panel, a judgment that the club said they would review. Wray, who captained Saracens in their victory over Gloucester on Saturday, said: ‘As you can expect, we were shocked and obviously disappointed.’ He added he was surprised current players — including Chris Robshaw and Danny Care — had been heavily critical of Saracens. On the response of the England players in the squad, many of whom are involved in co-investment arrangements with owner Nigel Wray, he said: ‘We have been devastated as a squad and they were as shocked as we were. They have been around the club a lot this week and they’re as desperate to give back to this club as we are. You’ll see that when they’re ready to go.’