If Sarries did nothing wrong, then Prince Andrew is a virgin
Mccall must find a way to get minds focused on the pitch after unsure performance in Paris
So, Saracens are not to continue their appeal against the £5.4 million fine and 35-point deduction for not declaring income and breaking the salary cap for three seasons. This is not surprising for anyone who knows much about the procedural niceties of the case and given the sanction was handed down by a very experienced and highly qualified independent tribunal. It does seem to have come as a bit of a shock to some, who are trying to claim that this move says nothing about the merits of Saracens’ case. Evidently, it is purely on playing grounds and does not dent the claim that Saracens did nothing wrong, bar a bit of administrative misunderstanding.
Sure; and if you believe that you probably think Prince Andrew is a virgin.
Anyhow, what people wanted to see this weekend was whether all this had any effect on the playing field; which is where this well-run club do not usually make elementary errors that lead to punishment. As far as the players are concerned, I do not believe it is their responsibility to police the club’s administrative obligations. In any event, how would they know whether the cap was being broken, without access to every payment made to every player?
For head coach Mark Mccall this cannot have been an easy period and it cannot have had no effect on the wider squad. It is easy to say that adversity can be used as a tool to tighten bonds between everyone on the playing side, but it does not always turn out that way. Harlequins found the rift between the club’s interests and those of Tom Williams, who was a popular member of the squad, could not be squared properly in the relentless publicity battle after “Bloodgate”.
While you cannot say that an off-field furore affects players on the field,
Saracens’ first-half performance against Racing 92 was atypical for the north London club. More unforced errors were made by Saracens than you would expect in several games and this meant they stuttered and failed to get any real foothold in the match. The side chosen was arguably the best available in the circumstances but the lack of familiarity was apparent to anyone watching.
This was never going to be an easy game, given the quality of the hosts and the unique atmosphere of the Paris la Defense Arena.
Saracens were given a way back into the game by some terrible handling from Racing which gifted Alex Lozowski a try, but the immediate riposte from Finn Russell demonstrated how far off the mark Saracens were. If there is any spill-over from matters outside the white lines, Mccall has to remove it quickly because Saracens will get a “friendly and warm” reception from every set of away fans this season.
There is nothing the players can do about this and they are not to blame, but they have to make sure that a difficult situation does not get any worse.
As for the English performance of the weekend, look no further than the only Premiership club making money – Exeter. A bonuspoint win away to La Rochelle is a huge statement of intent, even if the French side are not playing as well as when they burst on to the European scene a few seasons ago.
A typically controlled performance from the West Country side was simply too disciplined for La Rochelle, who could not get their big ball carriers into the game to take the initiative and play on the front foot. When Exeter get into their familiar groove of multiple-phase rugby, they are difficult to resist. The challenge this year is to make the break into rugby which can register points without needing attrition before it pays off. That bit of magic is all Exeter are lacking to become a properly complete team.
Elsewhere, Northampton beat Lyon, who head the Top 14. The progress made since the departure of Jim Mallinder and Dorian West has been remarkable, but you get the feeling that coach Chris Boyd will be irked that his side did not gain a bonus point after racing into a 19-point lead at halftime.
If there is one thing that will hold them back it is the relative weakness of their scrum.
As England found out against South Africa, you cannot win games in which you are constantly giving ground and penalties away because you are being beaten in this set-piece.