Saracens relax in Barcelona before Champions Cup final face-off

Aviva Premiership side Saracens have headed to Barcelona for a short trip to help them relax as they bid to repeat their double triumph this season.

Saracens will host Bristol next week and then head to Ricoh Arena for a clash against table toppers Wasps as they look to seal a home play-off spot in the ongoing season of Aviva Premiership.

Following the clash against Wasps, Mark McCall's men will lock horns with Clermont in the European Champions Cup final at Murrayfield Stadium.

"We're flying out to Barcelona for a day or two's team-building," hooker Schalk Brits revealed.

"Of course we're going there for a debrief on what happened against Munster and a video session! Unfortunately rugby gets in the way of our social activities! We're going to look at the architecture and all the sights.

"That's what makes this club quite a special place. The rugby's important but the individual comes first.

"Sometimes people wonder how you get an extra five per cent out of a player; how can you get him up off the ground.

"If you feel so much love for the team and want to earn the respect of the guy next to you, all the shared experiences of the past help you do a lot more for each other.

"People defend for each other because they want to, not because they get paid. They want to earn respect - and have fun in Barcelona together!"

Saracens defeated Glasgow Warriors and Munster in the knock-out games to make it to the final and Scotland international Jim Hamilton lavished praises on the Vunipola brothers, who he believes is an integral part of the squad.

"They're devastating and are the backbone of our team, you can see that," the Scotland second row said.

"I spoke to the coaches of Glasgow after the quarter-final and their plan was to stop Billy Vunipola.

"Well it's all well and good saying that, but you can put three men on him he'll still make it over the gain line. Both Mako and Billy are world class, two of the best players I've ever taken the field with.

"Mako kicking is a ridiculous sight to see because you think, 'Oh, he must be messing around', but he can drop-goal the ball from anywhere.

"He can kick the ball off the tee, pass off the left, pass off the right, put a 40 or 50 metre pass in - it is ridiculous the skill-set of these guys."