Tuesday 10 May 2016 16:36, UK
This week, Stuart Barnes looks at Saracens' chances of lifting the Champions Cup trophy, plus the PRO12 and Premiership play-offs.
1. The day Saracens beat Toulouse in round one of the European Champions Cup was the day I thought this could be their year. This game was eclipsed however by the tragedy of the Paris attacks. Maybe Toulouse were off their game. Maybe, although Thierry Dusautoir refused to make any excuses. One week later Saracens smashed Ulster in Belfast. That was the day I thought it would be their year. Nothing has changed my mind.
Eight games played and eight comfortable victories. No team has won all nine games we are told, as if that has any bearing on the result. Racing have looked the likeliest danger since they ruthlessly demolished the Saints at home. But they have lost and drawn a game. Toulon - past their best - was a narrow squeak at home and Leicester should have been beaten with more conviction than they eventually were.
What I am suggesting is that Racing 92, with Dan Carter and all, have more flaws in their armoury than a Saracens side that has the belief, the extra European experience and the capacity to win it via their backs or forwards. An English trophy lift is not overdue. The Premiership has floundered in mediocrity and muscle for too long. The reason England has been the dominant side this season has been the massively more ambitious and balanced nature of its club rugby. Saracens will represent them well in Lyon, I expect them to win.
2. The night before is another matter altogether. Harlequins need the victory against Montpellier in the Challenge Cup to salvage another disappointing domestic season. Eighth last season and seventh this time around, the last two years of Conor O'Shea's reign have been ones of failure. Harlequins have the personnel to win one-off cup rugby but they start Friday night as underdogs.
Montpellier is not an easy team to love. They play Jake White's percentage rugby and they play it well. A clear second in the Top 14 is proof of their powers this season. Running through their official squad online, I counted 21 Frenchmen and 17 South Africans. Throw in another seven Australians and it is hard to see how Montpellier's success can be particularly useful to France. Maybe the good folk of this lovely city on the Med don't care about the fortunes of the national team.
3. Briefly glancing backwards to last weekend and the PRO12 and Premiership play-off picture; what an incredible end it was to the regular campaign for Exeter and Connacht. The Devonians scored ten tries at the Stoop to give themselves home advantage against Wasps in the semi-final while Connacht summoned up the wind and rain and prevailed against the red hot Glasgow team. An away game in Scotland looked beyond them but with home advantage anything could happen in what will be an incredible atmosphere in Galway.
In the other semis, Saracens will have to react to either victory or a final defeat when they take on Leicester at home while Leinster have home advantage against Ulster. Les Kiss' men have the benefit of peak form and a convincing recent win against Leinster. The Ulster scrum is a concern for them. They could do with having Wiehahn Herbst back and a dry day in Dublin. Get either or both and they have a good chance of making the PRO12 final.
4. Ulster were way too good in the end for the Ospreys but yet again how classy did 22-year-old Sam Davies look? Surely the time has come for the individual's interests to be served. Waiting for Dan Biggar to don the red shirt of Wales to get a start is not what suits him, or Wales. Kicking, running, passing, he has the skills in spades. Every minute that he is not starting a game is a waste for him, Wales and all us fans who want to see the best players in action.
5. Davies made the Guinness PRO12 dream team. I was disappointed to miss the PRO12 dinner for all sorts of pleasurable reasons but delighted to see sanity prevail and Pat Lam winning the coach of the year. Whatever happens here on in, he has done a magnificent job. I was equally pleased to see so many Connacht players in the team of the season. Even players are not immune to a little rugby romance.
6. Having been unable to attend Sunday's Celtic Gala I am delighted to be heading to the Professional Rugby Association dinner on Wednesday. The association goes from strength to strength as a voice for the players and a support for them, in financial and other ways. Since the game went professional not every new development has been for the best but the PRA has been a mighty addition to the scene and the dinner is always a great occasion. Seeing the odd player and coach swaying and slurring is no bad thing now and then. The PRA is a good thing. If you fancy a good time out book early for a table next year - it's a popular event.
7. Clement Poitrenaud is to hang his boots up at the end of the season. Where are the eulogies? He received a standing ovation in Toulouse at the weekend but north of the Channel he is remembered for his frequent faux pas, none more so than the moment he waited for the ball to cross his try line and touch-down for a 22 drop out in a European Cup final against Wasps. He waited a split second too long and this coolest of customers' reputation was ruined in these islands as Rob Howley touched down for Wasps glory and Clement's misery.
Well, in Chez Barnes, it is not. The man was never frightened to try something, always capable of the brilliant. Either at centre but more often full-back, he would light up a game with his magical hands and sublime running angles. When he made a mistake he tried something twice as risky the next time. This man had the courage to play and keep playing; a toast of the finest Pomerol to you, Clement.
8. Derek Bevan is another to have retired from the game. The former international referee has long been one of the best TMOs. Ever unruffled, his double acts with Nigel Owens will be missed in the commentary box.
9. The Highlanders are back in contention. They lost to the Hurricanes on the first day of the season but with Aaron and Ben Smith in their ranks it is not a surprise to see them bouncing back into contention. An away win at the Chiefs probably constitutes the best win of the competition to date.
10. Bristol, not this time. Bedford were routed in the semi-finals and now Doncaster face them in the final. It is great news that the Knights have been passed fit for the Premiership should they beat the red hot favourites but not this time...
Bristol have the budget, the players, a crowd of 12,000 supporting them in a second leg where the result was already known. Doncaster will do well to follow in the footsteps of London Welsh and Worcester. It would be a sensational story for Doncaster but Bristol cannot bottle it three times, can they?
