Barritt back for Sarries title tilt
Saracens centre Brad Barritt insists he will have no problems slipping seamlessly back into domestic action as the Men in Black ramp up their pursuit of a second straight Aviva Premiership crown against Sale on Friday.
The 25-year-old played a starring role in England’s 30-9 demolition of Ireland last weekend as the Six Nations came to a conclusion but the South-Africa born bulldozer will be straight back in action at Edgeley Park on Friday.
Sarries claimed victory last time out against Northampton but in the absence of Barritt, and fellow England stars Owen Farrell, Mouritz Botha and David Strettle, they had lost their previous two matches.
As a result Saracens go into the match second, four points behind Harlequins, while Sale, who Barritt and co beat 27-10 at Vicarage Road back in November, are seventh and clinging to the coattails of the play-off chasers.
But Barritt is not under-estimating the threat the Sharks pose.
“It’s not difficult to come straight back into Premiership action. Obviously I’m as committed for Sarries as I am for England,” said Barritt.
“Sarries has been my home for four years and it’s a huge honour to play for them.
“It will be a really tough match against Sale, they are a great side, especially at home. We have a big challenge ahead of us, reintegrating players into the team.
“Obviously the team hasn’t played for two weeks so it’s vital that we get our processes correct and we are focused on the game from the start.
“Sale are a great team across the board. They do like to play with the ball and they like to play an off-loading game so we need to nullify their strengths and really be clinical when we get our chances.
“We’re under no illusions that it will be a really tough game.”
While Saracens seem assured of a place in the play-offs, Barritt was also quick to point out the importance of picking up as many points as they can, revealing the desire in the camp to secure back-to-back Premiership crowns at Twickenham on May 26th.
“As a team we don’t want to be a flash in the pan. We were very disappointed two years ago when we lost to Leicester in the final and we came back even hungrier last year,” he added.
“The exciting thing is that this year the guys are so hungry to push for that title and to retain the title – you have to have that hunger first and foremost.”
