Saracens motivated by 2014 European final defeat - Brad Barritt
Saracens captain Brad Barritt revealed that the pain of losing a European final in 2014 motivated his team to Champions Cup triumph against Racing 92 on Saturday.
In the 2013-14 Heineken Cup final Saracens were outplayed by a dominant Toulon side, who went on to win the game 23-6. A week later, Saracens also lost the Aviva Premiership final as well to Northampton Saints.
However, on Saturday at the Grand Stade de Lyon stadium, fly-half Owen Farrell kicked seven penalties as compared to three of Racing 92 which made Saracens the first English Premiership club in nine years to clinch the European title.
Barritt said Saracens were confident of breaking the barrier this time around with the right amount of preparations in place.
"The spirit of this side is the foundation on which everything is built," England centre Barritt said.
"It is a culture that has been bred over the past six years, and there was a truly a belief coming into this game that this was going to be our year. We clearly built up a six-year run, slowly improving year on year.
"We came up short against Toulon two years ago, and that experience galvanised us. We speak metaphorically about pounding the rock, and thankfully, the rock broke on Saturday."
The win also meant that Saracens became the first team in the tournament history to win all the nine games.
Saracens were also helped by injuries to two of Racing 92's key players - Dan Carter and Maxime Machenaud. The scrum-half left the field in the 22nd minute after experiencing a concussion while Carter was replaced in the 42nd minute after he suffered a calf injury.
Stating it was proud to lead this Saracens team, Barritt said the victory could not have come at a better time.
"With a team like Racing, a minute switching off can result in a try.
"It's about being composed, switching in and out of aggression, being physical when we can, but then taking off the pressure when we could.
"I am just hugely pleased that the team stood up, and I couldn't be more proud to be a part of this squad. It was an unbelievable feeling getting my hands on the trophy.
"Words can't really express how you feel. To do it with your mates, and guys you consider to be your best friends, is truly an unbelievable feeling.
"I am immensely proud to be part of this team. It is a bit of an overwhelming experience, but it is so pleasing.
"We knew we had a point to prove, and that was to do it on the big stage on the day when it mattered. It is something we have truly been dreaming of, and now it has come true."
Despite the European glory, Farrell wants to stay focused on the Aviva Premiership where Saracens will take on the Leicester Tigers in the play-off on Saturday with the winner taking on either Exeter or Wasps at Twickenham on 28th May in the final.
"Everyone wants to finish the season off well. We have half done it, but we still have got two games to go.
"This is right up there. I have not ranked my (career) achievements, but it was a special day. It is a European final that we have won, and to come out as the champions is very special. Hopefully, there are more of these days to come.
"It is all about finding a way to win and being adaptable. I thought we were very calm on the field."
Meanwhile, head coach Mark McCall said he is excited to be involved with the team and is confident of more success in the coming days.
"This means an awful lot.
"I am personally thrilled for the playing group, but also the staff and people like (Saracens chairman) Nigel Wray, who has invested 20 years of his heart and soul into this.
"What we said in the week was that we truly believe if we are humble enough and hungry enough, which I know we are, there are more good days ahead for us."
