Saracens not complacent in their European title defence - Brad Barritt
Saracens centre Brad Barritt insisted that the club will not remain complacent as they bid to defend their European Champions Cup title victory this season.
The Allianz Park outfit became the first English club in nine years to win a European Champions Cup last season when they defeated Racing 92 in the final and they made it even more special when they successfully defended the Aviva Premiership title as well beating Exeter Chiefs in the final.
In the ongoing season of the English Premiership, Saracens are currently topping the table after winning five out of the six games so far. Despite having the momentum on their side, Barritt, who led the Sarries to the European Champions Cup triumph last season, urged the team to fight with intent ahead of their opening game against Toulon at Stade Félix Mayol on Saturday.
“There are no easy games and you are by no means assured of a place in the group stages,” Barritt said. “You have to fight for every win and for every point.
“The competition starts for us in Toulon which will be a huge battle and one we are looking forward to, but each and every game is as equally important and you have to put yourself into that best position to enable yourself to have a chance at the end.
“The pleasing thing last year was that as the campaign grew, the confidence grew.
“We started off the tournament brilliantly in terms of a big home win against Toulouse, backed that up the following week in Ulster.
“And then the momentum grew and the confidence grew, we knew we had been to similar stages in the previous years and there was a feeling that we knew we had the ability but it was about executing on the day to make sure we went through and took the trophy.”
Saracens are grouped along with Toulon, Scarlets and Sale Sharks in Pool C. The 30-year-old added he is looking forward to play in France this weekend.
“The final was as much an away game as we could have be playing in a neutral venue. Playing away in France I just remember there being a great atmosphere,” he added.
“In terms of the game, it tends to end up being a bit of a blur, but those special memories you have after the game with your team-mates and with the entire organisation were fantastic and ones that will live on with us forever.”
European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) is the organiser of the European Rugby Champions Cup, the European Rugby Challenge Cup and the Challenge Cup Qualifying Competition. Follow all the excitement of another thrilling season of European action at www.epcrugby.com
