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Southern hemisphere rugby fans can rightly claim that there should be no excuses for the drab affair that was this year’s European Cup final.
The victory will only be celebrated in the English media and will not be looked fondly upon across Europe.
The last English victory was ten years ago and Saracens have steadily improved over the past few years with this their second final appearance in three years.
It’s been a vintage year for English rugby after the Grand Slam. I would however be surprised if there is an open top bus celebration akin to Leicester City football team as Saracens don’t really have a significant fan-base. Barely 18000 attended the semi-final.
I have read the lofty columns from the rugby elite up north all stating the dreadful weather on final day as and excuse for the lack of ambition by Saracens.
Saracens game is about applying pressure by kick chase and building a score much the same way that the powerful Toulon did, capturing three titles in succession.
Much of the contempt for Saracens comes from the fact that they have admitted cheating the salary cap, to which the RFU hit them with a slap on the wrist.
They’ve also been criticised for the owner’s key role in aiding the fracturing of the old Heineken Cup structure which led to the cashed-starved home unions in Ireland, Wales and Scotland getting a smaller slice of the cake.
That said they have developed some great talent and have a very pragmatic approach to the game. Their halfbacks both have a well-rounded kicking game and they play with great unity in the forwards.
Rather than defending Saracens and pointing to the massive spending budgets of the French clubs, fans of European rugby should take heart by the way Exeter, Leicester, Glasgow, Ulster and Connaught have gone about playing their rugby this season.
Although stifled by the same weather conditions, they have attempted to play passing offloading rugby.
This rugby has found these sides in the playoffs of their respective leagues.
The world cup proved that running the ball was the most effective way to find space in this era of brick wall defences, but it will take time to build the skill levels to match the ambition. At the moment, machine-like teams such as Saracens hold all the aces.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.