The Saracens' recent thrashing by Bath has stirred an urgent call for resilience and spirit from their beleaguered boss, Mark McCall. After a disastrous 62-15 defeat at The Rec, where Bath's Henry Arundell starred with two tries, McCall is eyeing a turnaround in their upcoming fixtures. With the team's performance spiraling, the outgoing director of rugby openly seeks fighters to salvage their season.
It was a grim visit to Bath for Saracens, reminiscent of their previous encounter in December 2024, where they suffered a historic 68-10 defeat. Fast forward to the present, the margin was slightly less at 47 points, but the impact was just as severe, marking their sixth loss in eleven league games. "We have got to be very honest about what happened, and we need people who are up for the fight next weekend," McCall disclosed post-match, clearly signaling the need for a drastic change in team dynamics.
"It’s hugely disappointing. After a decent start, we put a lot of pressure on ourselves at the end of the first half, had a horrible sort of 10 minutes either side of half-time and in the end, we got blown away, let’s be honest."
The Saracens' lineup against Bath saw some rotation, with Elliot Daly coming off a brief stint in England's recent Six Nations game, while key players like Maro Itoje, Ben Earl, and Jamie George were rested. Conversely, Bath showcased their depth with eight different try-scorers, but it was Henry Arundell who stole the show.
Arundell, finding his stride after a stint at Racing 92, expressed his elation and connection with Bath. "I love playing for Bath, that’s for sure. What a team, what a place to play!" he exclaimed. His sentiment underscored a rejuvenated spirit, likely spurred by the emotional ties to his boyhood club and the leadership of Johann van Graan.
"We don’t get ahead of ourselves too much. Johann is very good at keeping us never too high, never too low, and that consistency brings those performances,"
Arundell added, highlighting the balanced approach fostered by Bath's director of rugby.
The Saracens are now poised for a critical stretch in their season, hosting Northampton at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium before revisiting The Rec for a Champions Cup clash. With McCall's tenure winding down, the upcoming games will not only test their resolve but also shape the legacy of his 15-year stint with the team.
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The Saracens' recent thrashing by Bath has stirred an urgent call for resilience and spirit from their beleaguered boss, Mark McCall. After a disastrous 62-15 defeat at The Rec, where Bath's Henry Arundell starred with two tries, McCall is eyeing a turnaround in their upcoming fixtures. With the team's performance spiraling, the outgoing director of rugby openly seeks fighters to salvage their season.
It was a grim visit to Bath for Saracens, reminiscent of their previous encounter in December 2024, where they suffered a historic 68-10 defeat. Fast forward to the present, the margin was slightly less at 47 points, but the impact was just as severe, marking their sixth loss in eleven league games. "We have got to be very honest about what happened, and we need people who are up for the fight next weekend," McCall disclosed post-match, clearly signaling the need for a drastic change in team dynamics.
"It’s hugely disappointing. After a decent start, we put a lot of pressure on ourselves at the end of the first half, had a horrible sort of 10 minutes either side of half-time and in the end, we got blown away, let’s be honest."
The Saracens' lineup against Bath saw some rotation, with Elliot Daly coming off a brief stint in England's recent Six Nations game, while key players like Maro Itoje, Ben Earl, and Jamie George were rested. Conversely, Bath showcased their depth with eight different try-scorers, but it was Henry Arundell who stole the show.
Arundell, finding his stride after a stint at Racing 92, expressed his elation and connection with Bath. "I love playing for Bath, that’s for sure. What a team, what a place to play!" he exclaimed. His sentiment underscored a rejuvenated spirit, likely spurred by the emotional ties to his boyhood club and the leadership of Johann van Graan.
"We don’t get ahead of ourselves too much. Johann is very good at keeping us never too high, never too low, and that consistency brings those performances,"
Arundell added, highlighting the balanced approach fostered by Bath's director of rugby.The Saracens are now poised for a critical stretch in their season, hosting Northampton at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium before revisiting The Rec for a Champions Cup clash. With McCall's tenure winding down, the upcoming games will not only test their resolve but also shape the legacy of his 15-year stint with the team.