Saracens take break in Barcelona after reaching Champions Cup final

23 April 2017 10:09

Saracens flew to Barcelona just hours after reaching the Champions Cup final for a whirlwind 36-hour trip they hope will tighten the bonds needed to repeat last season's double.

The holders face Clermont at Murrayfield on May 13 after departing the Aviva Stadium - usually a graveyard of English ambition for club and country - with a thumping 26-10 victory over Munster.

On Sunday morning at 4am the players set off for Barcelona accompanied by only a handful of management to enjoy each other's company ahead of the critical phase of the season.

The visit of relegated Bristol on Saturday provides the scope to recharge batteries before a key clash with Wasps, followed by the European final and the knockout phase of the Aviva Premiership that concludes the season.

"We're flying out to Barcelona for a day or two's team-building," hooker Schalk Brits revealed.

"Of course we're going there for a debrief on what happened against Munster and a video session! Unfortunately rugby gets in the way of our social activities! We're going to look at the architecture and all the sights.

"That's what makes this club quite a special place. The rugby's important but the individual comes first.

"Sometimes people wonder how you get an extra five per cent out of a player; how can you get him up off the ground.

"If you feel so much love for the team and want to earn the respect of the guy next to you, all the shared experiences of the past help you do a lot more for each other.

"People defend for each other because they want to, not because they get paid. They want to earn respect - and have fun in Barcelona together!"

Saracens were at their belligerent best in sweeping aside Munster, absorbing tremendous first-half pressure before running in tries through Mako Vunipola and Chris Wyles to power home.

Aerial ping-pong and the obvious comfort of Mark McCall's men when playing without the ball were themes of the match, as was the Vunipola brothers' hitherto unknown kicking skills.

Both aimed impressive chips downfield when Saracens broke free in the first half in unusual highlights of two colossal shifts and the England and British and Irish Lions forwards earned a stirring tribute from team-mate Jim Hamilton.

"They're devastating and are the backbone of our team, you can see that," the Scotland second row said.

"I spoke to the coaches of Glasgow after the quarter-final and their plan was to stop Billy Vunipola.

"Well it's all well and good saying that, but you can put three men on him he'll still make it over the gain line. Both Mako and Billy are world class, two of the best players I've ever taken the field with.

"Mako kicking is a ridiculous sight to see because you think, 'Oh, he must be messing around', but he can drop-goal the ball from anywhere.

"He can kick the ball off the tee, pass off the left, pass off the right, put a 40 or 50 metre pass in - it is ridiculous the skill-set of these guys."

Source: PA