SARACENS’ HEAD COACH, JOE SHAW, IS EXPECTING A “PROPER TEST” AHEAD OF CLASH WITH LEICESTER TIGERS THIS WEEKEND.
Shaw is well aware of the struggle his team faces on Saturday, even though both teams have absentees because of international obligations.
“Even if they have guys away on international service, like us, they have some fantastic players in that roster. We anticipate a true test this weekend because they are a seasoned team that has been playing some excellent rugby this year.
The Men in Black enter this match fresh off a valiant victory at Ashton Gate, which Joe Shaw called a “real challenge” in a number of ways.
“Minor injuries and illness throughout the week meant we lost some real depth in the squad. But training in the week was really uplifting with everyone putting in a shift to get us over the line. It was a hard-fought victory but a really rewarding one given the circumstances.”
More Saracens players than any other Premiership team have represented England in their Autumn Nations Series training camp this week, with seven of them doing so. Joe Shaw is proud of this individual.
We’re used to having a large group in the England squad, and I believe that’s something we can be proud of as a team. Our goal as a coaching staff is to produce athletes who can represent their nation in the future.
For games like this one, we obviously miss their skill and rugby IQ, but it gives us a fantastic chance to give someone else in the group a chance to wear that shirt.
Shaw was also able to provide an update on various players who have missed out on previous fixtures.
Following their varied absences from the match day teams, Juan Martin Gonzalez, Fergus Burke, Nick Tompkins, Lucio Cinti, and Fraser Balmain have all participated in brief training sessions this week.
After Andy Onyeama-Christie suffered a long-term injury two weeks ago, the Sarries head coach also had nothing but praise for him.
There isn’t a specific timeline yet because he had surgery this week, but based on his response and recovery from his prior injuries, I’m confident he’ll return to the field as soon as he can.
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