Look back to last year for a confidence boost
different game this year,” he said.
“They will be firing on all cylinders and desperate to get their European campaign off to a flying start.
“They wouldn’t have been particularly excited about playing in the Challenge Cup, whereas the Champions Cup is where all the top teams want to impress.
“From our perspective, coming off the back of two disappointing results in the URC, it is a great opportunity for us to step up and put a marker down and show everyone we are here in the Champions Cup to stay,” he continued.
“We’re not reading too much into that game last season, but we are aware that the biggest thing that day was our physicality, so we’ve spoken about recreating that this week.
“If you give Saracens momentum and time on the ball, they are going to be deadly and cut you open, so the biggest thing is going to be the forwards matching them physically up-front and the backs not giving them time on the ball.
“We know it is going to take an 80 plus minute performance
to make that happen and if we are off it for a few minutes, a few plays, we will be punished.”
“We have focused on ourselves as well because I think our attacking ability is great with the personnel we have and the shape we play,” he added.
Not only is this game a chance for the team to set their season on upward trajectory, it is also a big opportunity for Lang personally.
He admits that he has been frustrated in recent months by a lack of regular game-time, but Chris Dean (inset) – his rival for the Edinburgh
No. 12 jersey – is currently out of action due to a concussion. “Deano has been playing really well and had a good run of games which is good for the team, but we all want to play as much as we can,” said Lang.
“I obviously want to make the most of this chance I have, but the key for me is to just put my best foot forward this weekend for the good of the team and not worry too much about what the coaches might be thinking.
“I have done a lot of that in the past and it doesn’t get me anywhere.”