VIDEO: Saracens boss wants more titles
PREMIERSHIP REACTION: Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall urged the club to focus on ensuring its continued domination of English and European rugby after completing a second double in three years on Saturday.
McCall also suggested there will be great success for his England players as they prepare to join up with the rest of the squad Eddie Jones selects for the World Cup in Japan later this year.
The softly-spoken Irishman, forever plotting and contemplating ways of improving his serial winners, is determined to add to eight major trophies in as many years for the Allianz Park outfit.
And McCall, following his side’s 37-34 win over Exeter Chiefs at Twickenham Stadium which witnessed the greatest English Premiership final comeback, insisted: “Of course it is about enjoying the moment now and celebrating what the guys have achieved this season.
“Winning the two biggest trophies in club rugby and ensuring the club continues to thrive. But naturally, we have to think about the future and what lies ahead.
“Yes, we had plenty of international experience and talent out there but we also had a handful of guys either starting or coming off the bench who came through our youth system.
“That makes me happy because they will be a big part of this club’s future and hopes of continually winning trophies.
“The World Cup is going to take a lot of those internationals out of the firing line come the start of next season and there may be some pain in that for us.
“But at the same time it is an opportunity for those players in the fringes and the younger ones to step up to the plate again and show what they can do.”
McCall, now high on the RFU wanted list to replace Jones when he steps down from his head coach role, said: “As far as the international players are concerned, I can certainly see them enjoying their time in Japan.
“I wish them all the best over there and I expect they will have some success. They have that winning mentality and huge desire to be the best. That helps a lot on the top stage and England will certainly benefit from it.”
On his side’s victory on Saturday, which saw them fight back from 11 points behind to win a ten-try extravaganza and fifth Premiership title, he said: “It was the worst we have played but it was the most satisfying because they never give up and find the energy to win.”
Frequent success on the field continues to be slightly tarnished by the ongoing Premier Rugby probe into alleged salary cap infringements by the club, which Sarries strongly deny.
Asked if he hopes the matter will be resolved soon, McCall claimed: “Yes I do. But I believe Sarries is a good and positive role model for others to follow.”
England coach Jones would have enjoyed the feast of tries and attacking rugby served up by many of his potential World Cup stars just three months before the start of the tournament in Japan.
The likes of Owen Farrell, Maro Itoje, Jamie George and others showed just the winning mentality and desire Jones demands from players he wants in his starting XV come the opening game in September.
Exeter Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter would not contest the growing claim that this Saracens team is the best English club side ever.
“They probably are the best. Their record speaks for itself, winning European and domestic cups and titles and doing it when it matters on the big stage,” Baxter said.
“Then again it says a lot about where we are right now in the fact we are very disappointed we did not beat them today.
“We dominated the game in the first half but it’s about getting your hands on the trophy at the end. We have to change from being consistent finalists to consistent winners.”
Agence France-Presse
🎉 Celebration time for @Saracens 🎉
Just reward for looking deep into their soul and clawing their way back to the trophy when it seemed lost 💪
Heroic stuff from 👉 Kings of Europe, back to back #GallagherPrem winners and arguably the best club team in the world 🌟 pic.twitter.com/6CN5ZfTu64
— Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) June 1, 2019
