SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Saracens Can Still Be Goode Without Owen Farrell In Leinster Quarter Final Clash

Saracens will take on Leinster in the quarter finals of the Heineken Champions Cup in Dublin on Saturday afternoon.

It’s a repeat of last year’s European competition final, but winners Saracens have since been embroiled in controversy, while Leinster has since won all 25 games.

Sir Clive Woodward gives his verdict on the delectable Euro confrontation …

WHICH PACK WILL DOMINATE?

Saracens and Leinster’s recent success is based on their rock-solid set piece, forward thrust and power in contact.

Inside it is a fascinating clash between two of the world’s best locks – Maro Itoje and James Ryan – who should be the Lions pair next summer.

Both are identical modern locks: athletic, strong but not too bulky, superlative in the line-out, jackals in bad luck, good forward and physical in the tackle. They are totem pole players who decide their side.

In Owen Farrell’s absence, Saracens will look to Itoje for leadership, introducing another small subplot.

Warren Gatland will soon be considering options for his Lions skipper. The first criterion is that you must be an automatic first choice. There aren’t many of them, but Itoje is the first name on the magazine, closely followed by Ryan!

WHO HAS THE MOST INFLUENTIAL HALF BACK?

Farrell’s absence will hit Saracens hard. His great gaming experience and world-class kicks will be missed, as will his intensity and game management.

But no player makes a team. Saracens have brought the experienced and talented Alex Goode from 15 to No. 10, where he played against Glasgow in both group matches.

Crucially, Richard Wigglesworth returns to the scrum hall and I can see that he is taking on even more responsibility than usual.

Johnny Sexton is the attacking pivot point for Leinster, the goalscorer and tactically pulling the strings.

Saracens know that their entire season depends on progress in Europe. They’ve had a long time to prepare, but that doesn’t necessarily make it easier to defend against Sexton, Garry Ringrose, and Robbie Henshaw.

BATTLE OF THE COACHES

This is a great match – the impressive Leo Cullen and the rejuvenated Stuart Lancaster take on Mark McCall and Alex Sanderson.

Aside from Covid-19, Leinster has had the smoothest seasons and is unbeaten in all competitions. They start as favorites, but that doesn’t guarantee anything in a major European game.

I rate McCall as one of the best coaches in the world. England should have been hunting to get him as he is the standout coach in European club rugby.

McCall made Saracens incredibly difficult to defeat and built a deadly, penetrating attack.

He is a great delegator and spotter of coaching talent and absorbed all the pressure and anti-aircraft defenses the Saracens raised after the salary ceiling issue.

He has kept his big stars for the future, lent some young weapons and introduced solid new players. And he will want to save a European Cup from the most difficult seasons.