Saracens have to get it right this time

SARACENS over the years have been a model of consistency, but they today face one of the toughest assignments in the Champions Cup in Bordeaux on their worst run of the season.

- PAUL REES

The three-times Champions Cup winners face Bordeaux-Begles on the back of four defeats in their last six matches with their last win on the road coming against Harlequins in November.

The champions have slipped into the bottom half of the Premiership and face a team unbeaten at home since La Rochelle's visit 10 months ago and boasting Damian Penaud and Louis Bielle-Biarrey on their flanks.

"They have been outstanding," said Saracens coach Kevin Sorrell. "They have not lost in recent times (since October), although Bayonne pushed them close last weekend. They are a side with multiple threats, a strong pack, good halfbacks and centres with a relationship, symbiotic and they revel in unstructured play.

"We are up and down, striving for consistency. There have been moments when we look like the animal we want to be and others when we are off it. We feel we are close, but the last bit is always the hardest to nail."

One area where Saracens have struggled, and it cost them in recent Premiership defeats at Sale and Leicester when they were regularly penalised, is the scrum which has been missing a number of leading front rowers.