Nick Tompkins is banking on Saracens’ big-game experience to see them through a Gallagher Premiership Rugby run-in like no other as the London club target an 11th league final.
The holders strengthened their Play-Off credentials with a hard-fought win over Bath Rugby last time out but with fixtures against fellow top-four chasing Bristol Bears and Harlequins to round out their season, nothing is guaranteed for the six-time winners.
Mark McCall’s side have been troubled by inconsistency this season but Tompkins hopes they can draw upon all of their previous know-how to secure a place in the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Final 2024.
The Wales centre told the Saracens website: “The league is so tight and every point counts. It’s been an interesting year, we’ve been a bit up and down but it’s an exciting end to the season and we want to make it special.
“We have had a lot of these moments and that experience can help give you confidence. Historically this is the period when we’ve switched on, and we need to make sure we enjoy it and do the same.”
Northampton Saints top the table on 55 points and can wrap up a home semi-final with victory at home to Gloucester Rugby on Saturday.
Below Saints, anyone from Sarries in second to Exeter Chiefs in seventh could conceivably host a Play-Off game.
The reigning champions head to Bristol Bears knowing victory would put them in a strong position to host a semi-final but Bears have won six league games in a row to move up to fourth.
Bristol’s final day trip to Harlequins could end up being a de facto quarter-final. As it stands, the teams are both on 49 points, with Bristol in fourth spot and Quins fifth.
Just above that pair are Bath Rugby. Sat on 50 points, they could have taken a giant step towards qualification by beating Saracens but after going down 15-12, they will now need to bounce back at Kingston Park, where they take on winless Newcastle Falcons.
Exeter Chiefs have no margin for error. Sitting four points behind Bristol Bears in fourth, they host Harlequins before travelling to Leicester Tigers.
Quins can never be discounted at this stage of the season, having put together a sensational run to clinch their second title in 2021.
England scrum-half Danny Care says playing at the “home of rugby”, not far from Harlequins’ home ground, Twickenham Stoop, could give them a key advantage if they can reach the final, which takes place on June 8.
“We’re very unique that we get to walk from our own ground to the home of rugby, Twickenham. It’s never lost on the players. Something happens to us as a club when we get to go over and play at Twickenham, we love doing it,” Care told BBC Sport.
“I’m very proud of being from this club that has pioneered the way of taking games to big stadiums.
“It’s our job as players to showcase that and show our stuff on the pitch, so we want to put on some fireworks as well.”
Gallagher Premiership Rugby Final tickets are on-sale now, family packages from £98.
Image credit: Reuters via Beat Media Group subscription
