Saracens - 2nd

STORY OF THE SEASON: Made a smooth start with six wins out of seven but encountered turbulence with two defeats against Gloucester and Chiefs during the November Test window and a third loss on the trot for good measure at Quins when their Test players were back. A big shock to the system that. Normal service was resumed either side of Christmas until the Six Nations when they lost another brace of games – Tigers at home, Chiefs away – before they finished the regular season like a runaway train. STAND-OUTS: Yet again nobody has done better than Alex Goode, right, who leads the league with 1,808 metres made while he remains one of the most creative backs in the game. Owen Farrell – despite possible fatigue from the Lions tour and England duties – is one of those players whose form never dips when he returns to club rugby. Skipper Brad Barritt has been an inspiring presence. STRENGTHS: This current squad have been there and got the T-shirt but the key men are still youngish and in their pomp. Possess the ability to take a strangle hold up front but can be lethal when they move the ball and Liam Williams has only added to their options there. And in Owen Farrell they have the best goalkicker in England. WEAKNESSES: With the highest scoring attack (89 tries) and the meanest defence (40 tries) it would be difficult to argue Sarries have any serious weaknesses as such, but with six Premiership defeats and that European shellacking at home to Clermont, their aura of invincibility has perhaps gone. No longer do sides consider Saracens invincible…just very difficult to beat. COACH’S CORNER: Mark McCall has excelled again. Knew his side needed a fast start before the November Test window so asked Maro Itoje in particular to put some hard yards in despite his exertions for the Lions; didn’t panic when the bad run arrived, he knew class would prevail. MIRACLE MAN: All sorts of players can turn it on for Saracens but for consistent X-factor and left field plays look no further than Schalk Brits who has lit up the Premiership for nearly a decade now. Look out for Liam Williams doing something special as well. PREDICTION: Steely pack will just about see them through an exciting semi-final with Wasps but Exeter’s all-round excellence might just do for them in the final.