Saracens get first taste of Championship after relegation and here’s what they can expect ahead of a unique campaign
SARACENS got a taste of the Championship on Saturday after their Premiership relegation for cheating the salary cap.
Here SunSport Rugby Union Correspondent Jonny Fordham answers some of the key questions ahead of a campaign like no other for the Londoners – a team who boast half the England squad and its captain.
What sort of facilities will they face when playing away?
Ampthill will probably be the biggest shock.
Sarries will play on a pitch in the middle of the woods – no flood-lights, no stand. Just a grassy bank in a clearing of the Bedfordshire countryside.
But, possibly the most astonishing fact, is that Sarries will also have to walk a couple of hundred metres along a bracken path, through the woods, to get from the clubhouse changing rooms to the pitch.
Any suggestions that boss Mark McCall might have left?
Owner Nigel Wray took the can for cheating the salary cap and northern Irishman McCall came out of the sorry saga unscathed.
The 53-year-old could have any job in the world, any day of the week – but he has always resisted leaving Sarries, having built a legacy like Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United Class of ’92.
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What impact will it have on the Lions?
Lions players from England normally stagger onto the plane at Heathrow battered and shattered.
The Premiership refuse to budge their final each time, meaning that top stars play at Twickenham and hours later they are jetting across the world and straight into the tour.
Sarries’ stars will also be able to meet up and take part in the first Lions camp, held in the UK, which they would normally miss due to their Prem obligations.
Boss Warren Gatland will get them in perfect condition.
Are all the players going to stay and play against the minnows?
Within hours of their shock relegation there was huge panic, chaos and anger at the club.
But, as SunSport told you 12 months ago, England captain Owen Farrell kicked out all the coaches and intermediately told his teammates he was staying to fight it out.
With the England captain signed-up, it didn’t take long for other top stars like Maro Itoje, Billy and Mako Vunipola and Jamie George to follow suit.
That means that this will be the most star-studded Championship in history.
However, with the season start in March still on a knife-edge, Sarries might even come straight back up with little action on the pitch if they decide to go straight to a play-off.
What about guys like Maro Itoje going out on loan?
Racing 92 wanted to sign Itoje on a short-term deal, but they couldn’t afford his €1million (£890,000) wages.
Boss Mark McCall was open to his leaders going abroad, but with the pandemic, all deals are off.
How will the stars stay sharp for England?
Eddie Jones and his strength and conditioning coaches are working with Sarries and their own, world-renowned fitness guru Phil Morrow, to keep the Test stars running like a Rolls Royce.
Farrell and co can expect plenty of visits from the England backroom staff, as well as possible training sessions put on for them at Pennyhill Park. Right now, they continue to train at the club’s St Albans base.
Will they win every single match in the Championship?
Yes… even their second-string will boss the league due to its nature of being a semi-pro division.
What about any exhibition matches?
Siya Kolisi’s Cape Town-based Stormers were due to take on Sarries at Tottenham Hotspurs’ new stadium.
But that game is now dead due to the Covid crisis.
Meanwhile, Billy Vunipola gave Jones a huge Six Nations boost completing a first game in 41 days.
Saracens’ No 8 was one of six internationals including Scotland’s Duncan Taylor to play in a 27-26 defeat at second-tier rivals Ealing in the Trailfinders Challenge Cup.
England boss Jones, who names his Six Nations squad on Friday was in attendance.
Sarries chief Mark McCall said: “I thought Billy was outstanding, genuinely, he has been brilliant with this young group all week.
“It is so hard for an international player to play in a game like this and not get frustrated at times, with your teammates also, with the opposition. But I’m really pleased.
“Billy is just a great club man, he knows the importance of senior players and their influence on the younger players.
“Some of these younger players are just starting their journey and have someone like Billy to guide them through, stay positive and be supportive, is very good.”
Vunipola, 28, is set to go to Doncaster for a final game before facing Scotland at Twickenham on February 6.