End of an era (2)?

Saracens late defeat at the weekend to Racing 92 in the Champions Cup semi final signals what is, as coach mark McCall described it, “the end of an era.”

There will be no European rugby for Saracens now until 2022 at the earliest, bringing to an end a remarkable run for the club who have been involved in four of the last six Champions Cup finals, winning three times.

It was a typically defiant performance from Sarries who appeared to be in control but blew a couple of try-scoring opportunities in the game’s third quarter before losing talismanic skipper Brad Barritt to a head injury and eventually succumbing to a piece of magic from Racing flay half Finn Russell.

Barritt’s departure was significant and his presence in the midfield was sorely missed, as it will be next season when he and fellow veteran Richard Wigglesworth will part the club, joining the 11 or so others that have already moved on to pastures new in the wake of the club’s enforced relegation.

Saracens fans will have to get used to whole set of fresh new players next season (assuming there is a Championship next season), many of whom who will graduate from their academy and have been named in tonight’s Premiership line up against Worcester. A whole new era awaits.

Meanwhile, Exeter Chiefs take up the mantle for the Premiership in Europe – although their defence will really need to be on point against the Russell-inspired Paris team, I’m backing them to beat Racing in the final on 17 October. Victory would be a fitting reward given the road they have travelled over the last 10 years or so. 

And perhaps a new era beckons?

Total Flanker – the older I get, the better I was