Alan Gaffney admits his team's Guinness Premiership play-off hopes are over following his side's 39-15 defeat at Gloucester.
Sarries head coach admits defeat after Kingsholm mauling
Saracens boss Alan Gaffney insists his team's Guinness Premiership play-off hopes are over following his side's crushing 39-15 defeat at leaders Gloucester.
Sarries failed to build on their stunning Heineken Cup win over the Ospreys the week before as Gloucester took their opponents to the sword in a one sided contest at Kingsholm.
The win sees Gloucester stretch their lead at the top to six points as Saracens find themselves drifting further away from play-off contention with just three games remaining.
"The play-offs are out of reach now," Gaffney said. "But there is still Heineken Cup qualification for next season, so we have got to be striving now for a top six finish."
Saracens could secure European qualification by winning this season's Heineken Cup, although semi-final opponents Munster have little to fear judging by their latest display.
Chalk and cheese
Fly-half Ryan Lamb scored two tries in three minutes as Gloucester scored six in all, which in truth wasn't a fair reflection on how much the Premiership leaders dominated proceedings.
"The performances last weekend and this weekend were like chalk and cheese," Gaffney said.
"We went out with a game plan, but we didn't adhere to it and were just not good at what we did.
"We were hopelessly beaten at the breakdown and outplayed in the contact area.
"Last week, we tore the Ospreys apart at the breakdown - this week, we just didn't compete there.
"We didn't play anywhere near to how we can, and that's the conundrum for us.
"Munster made Gloucester play on the back foot last week, which was what we wanted to do, but we weren't nearly as successful as Munster were at it."
Gloucester delight
Gloucester head coach Dean Ryan was understandably delighted with the way his side bounced back from last weekend's Heineken Cup heartache against Munster with a comprehensive victory.
With bottom club Leeds visiting Kingsholm next Saturday, another bonus point win for Ryan's men would almost guarantee Gloucester a home tie in next month's title play-offs.
"I am very happy with that performance," said Ryan. "We have been top of the Premiership for most of the season, and we deserve credit for that.
"We control the remainder of the season ourselves. Two of our last three games are at home, and we can control our play-off position. That is all you can ask for."
Lamb, who finished with 19 points, added: "When it clicks like that, it looks very good.
"We've only got one competition now this season, and we are totally focused on our last three games in the Premiership."
