“The last dance” versus “the defining block” — Saracens versus Harlequins at a packed Tottenham Hotspur Stadium offers so much more than just London bragging rights.
Saracens have end-of-an-era vibes, and now the Gallagher Premiership campaign turns from marathon to sprint, a glut of impending player departures run all the closer.
Harlequins face three weeks pivotal to their season, with Bath and Glasgow coming to The Stoop after Saturday’s Tottenham tussle. The next fortnight of league games will go a long way to reshuffling the Premiership play-off position, while Glasgow’s visit to west London offers a Champions Cup quarter-final carrot.
No wonder rugby director Billy Millard branded these three matches so specifically.
“I give sections of the season different names, and this one was fairly straightforward, because it’s the defining block,” said Millard. “Three weeks and matches that will go a long way to laying out what happens with the whole season — and everyone is well aware of that.”
Saracens are close to selling out Saturday’s battle, and both teams will be at full strength for the bumper occasion. The hosts will have all their Test stars on duty after the Six Nations, with mandated rest games to be taken down the line.
Harlequins are following suit, as much to bolster the occasion and square up to the derby intensity as to boost their league standing.
The next fortnight of league games will go a long way to reshuffling the Premiership play-off position
A seven-week break has had to be carefully negotiated by both London clubs, but after rest, warm-weather training camps and group outings, now comes the race to the finish line.
After 12 rounds, six clubs boast the same win-loss ratio of seven to five. Table-topping Northampton sit apart, but behind that the other three play-off berths are entirely up for grabs.
Owen Farrell will make his 250th Saracens appearance on Saturday, as his final campaign at the StoneX Stadium cranks into full gear.
The 112-cap England fly-half is relaxed and refreshed, but determined to add a seventh Premiership title to his sack of trophies. Brothers Billy and Mako Vunipola are set to depart for overseas shores this summer, too.
“We would all love to give them a good send-off,” said McCall. “Part of that is not looking too far ahead, enjoying every day and making sure the next 10 weeks we have a brilliant time. It will go by in a flash, so we have to enjoy it.”
The Saracens squad went to watch Henry Fraser’s musical The Little Big Things, based on the ex-academy player’s best-selling book.
Fraser was paralysed in a beach accident aged 17 on holiday in 2009. His rugby career was over before it started, but Fraser has become a successful artist, painting with his mouth, and author. Brother Will Fraser spent six years in the Saracens senior side, before a neck injury forced his early retirement.
McCall believes the trip to the show proved a powerful bonding moment for his squad.
“Henry came in and spoke to the squad,” said McCall. “We thought it was an important thing to do, and the group loved it. It is an inspiring story. When Henry talked about the first 18 months of his life after the injury, you could hear a pin drop in the room.”
Harlequins have club captain Stephan Lewies fit after a host of injury problems, with the big lock itching to get going again.
“It is just great to be back and to be getting to the point where I can go at it,” said Lewies.
“We’ve got some massive weeks ahead. We feel good after effectively a mini pre-season and we can’t wait to get stuck in.”
