Mark McCall insists Saracens must get better despite recording a 15-11 win over London Irish on Sunday.
Saracens boss planning inquest after disappointing display
Mark McCall is demanding improvements from Saracens after seeing his side record a scrappy 15-11 win over London Irish on Sunday.
Owen Farrell was the match-winner for the hosts, kicking five penalties, while Tom Homer and Dan Bowden kicked penalties for Irish who also scored the game's only try when David Paice was driven over four minutes from time.
McCall has now promised an inquest into the reigning champions' performance, believing their opening 40 minutes fell below the expected standards.
He will also waste no time pointing out that his team's next challenge comes at Wembley Stadium on Saturday in the form of Ospreys in round three of their Heineken Cup campaign.
He said: "We defended pretty well in parts, scrambled well in others when we fell off tackles.
"But it was a disappointing match, a scrappy match and we are disappointed with our first half performance.
"We were not up to our usual standards in certain areas and we'll definitely be looking at that during the week.
"Ospreys beat Munster on the weekend and will offer a big challenge. But we have played six games at Wembley and won five of them, our players really enjoy their outings there, as do our supporters.
"But we have a number of guys in the walking wounded at the moment and hope to have Brad Barritt and Charlie Hodgson back for the weekend, while Schalk Brits will have served his suspension."
McCall paid tribute to London Irish after they took the game to their hosts, picking up a losing bonus point for their efforts.
"A lot of players put in a big shift for Irish out there and we had to defend well at times."
More unity
Exiles head coach Toby Booth admitted his team came up short in terms of taking chances, but called for more unity between officials when it comes to scrummaging.
"We need all three officials to work better as a team of three because a referee alone cannot have eyes everywhere." said Booth.
"Right now, it's a bit like those numbers that come out on balls late on a Saturday night. I believe there is a degree of 'guesstimation' when it comes to scrums and who is in the right and the wrong.
"Referees have a difficult job there and should be supported all the time by their assistant referees."
Booth made no excuses over the game.
He said: "They are the champions, well drilled and well coached. You must take points when you get as close to their line as we did on a number of occasions.
"The difference between the teams was taking chances. We left their 22 too often empty handed. Saracens kicked all of their goals and left us with only one point to show for our efforts.
"Tom Homer deserves a mention because he was very sick all week yet insisted he wanted to play. By half-time he was running on empty.
"And three of the four locks out there are internationals, yet the outstanding lock was Matt Garvey whose carrying and all-round contribution make him the typical modern second row."
