Saracens strive for playoff spot in Mark McCall's final home match

Prem Rugby: Saracens 26-12 Harlequins Bonus point gained in final minute Not exactly a blaze of glory to send off Mark McCall on his last home match, but to win a good old-fashioned London scrap in such a way will no doubt be its own source of satisfaction. All the more so in that it means Saracens attain the top four for the first time since October with one round to play. All the more so given the bonus point that looked for 75 minutes as if it were a distant luxury. Two tries in a crazy last few minutes meant one of those accrued too, to make the sweltering afternoon perfect, if not quite glorious. Theo Dan steered an attacking lineout over the line with the clock in the red to set off the faithful of a sold-out crowd with the final delirium of knowing they have two points’ grace over Exeter, who play at Leicester tomorrow. Continue reading...

Saracens beat Harlequins to boost their Prem play-off hopes and give departing director of rugby Mark McCall a winning farewell at the StoneX Stadium.

Saracens beat Harlequins to boost their Prem play-off hopes and give departing director of rugby Mark McCall a winning farewell at the StoneX Stadium.

Quiet architect of Saracens’ modern dynasty prepares for emotional farewell as his side battle for a playoff spot in penultimate match of the season The quietest man in the stadium will be the most brilliantly lit when the spotlight falls on him come the end of the match. Mark McCall will hope his last home match in charge of Saracens will have ended with his team back in the top four, just when it matters most, with one round to play. A win against Harlequins on Saturday in front of a sellout crowd would move Saracens ahead of Exeter into fourth, with the Chiefs visiting Leicester on Sunday. Saracens are 20-point favourites to beat Quins, Leicester 11-point favourites to beat Exeter. Unless both underdogs rear up to bite their hosts (an outcome the bookies rate as a one-in-50 chance), we are due a straight shootout for that fourth playoff spot on the regular season’s final weekend at Sandy Park, where Exeter will host Saracens. Continue reading...