Owen Farrell eyes more glory with all-conquering Saracens and improving England

29 May 2016 09:23

England star Owen Farrell has underlined Saracens' desire to remain the dominant force in English and European club rugby following their double-winning exploits this season.

Saracens became the first English side since Wasps 12 years ago to land domestic and European titles in the same campaign, as they followed up a Champions Cup triumph against Racing 92 two weeks ago by beating Aviva Premiership final opponents Exeter at Twickenham.

They proved a distance better than the rest in both competitions, while Farrell and several of his Saracens team-mates also played significant roles in helping England win the RBS 6 Nations title and a Grand Slam this year.

It will be a tough act to follow next term, but Farrell said: "Hopefully, this is just the start for us.

"I think we've got a brilliant set of lads that work hard for each other. It's a brilliant place to be to turn up to work every day.

"We get treated very well, and in return we work hard for it. The lads know that and the lads respect that massively.

"We care about ourselves. It is about us and what we believe in and what we do together as a group, and that's why we are where we are.

"All anyone wants to do is get better. That has been the case this year. Everybody buys into that, and we've had a good season.

"We have just got to make sure that we are up there every year. We've got a brilliant squad, a cracking group of lads that want to get better."

South African World Cup winner Schalk Burger will be added to Saracens' potent squad mix next season, and while they are losing retiring servants Charlie Hodgson and Jacques Burger, turnaround in personnel is minimal, which suggests another powerful tilt at major silverware.

"Hopefully, by the time this group of players that has come through together is older, there will be another group coming through. That's the whole point of it," Farrell added.

"I can only talk about what is happening now and what we want to do now, and that's just to get better. Hopefully, that keeps happening for a long, long time.

"We talk about making memories.

"Some people's memories are on-field memories about rugby and about winning things, and some people hold on to the time after rugby, after the game, when you spend time in each other's company and talk about things. Everyone is different.

"You put everything into your season on the rugby side of things, and for it to come off that certain season is brilliant.

"You see the smiles on everyone's faces - not just the lads, but your family and friends. Everyone is happy, and that's what it is all about."

Next on Farrell's agenda is an England tour to Australia, with the Wallabies waiting in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney next month.

"We meet on Monday, and I am sure everyone will turn up ready to rip into that," he said.

"It freshens us up going into a new environment. Training will be different, the games will be different. You don't have to worry about lads re-focusing for a tour to Australia.

"When we went to New Zealand (in 2014), we (Saracens) had lost two finals in two weeks. I was glad we were still playing, because I didn't want to finish on that.

"It's what is in front of you, and everyone will get on with it and put everything they can into it. It's three more games for us, and hopefully it is going to be a brilliant finish to the season."

Source: PA