Alex Austerberry wants Saracens to get back to their level of execution
For a club like Saracens, expectations of success are high. Since the Premier 15s was created in 2017, the club have won the title three times and are the defending champions having defeated Exeter Chiefs 43-21 in last year’s final.
That win and last week’s loss at Exeter puts them sixth in the table and sets up a mouth-watering encounter as they host University of Worcester Warriors Women who sit only one point ahead of them.
“If you look at a table, you probably look up and we’re not used to looking up and teams being above us,” said Director of Rugby Alex Austerberry.
“Every time we play a team it’s a challenge. You’ve got a tag on your back when you’re the Champions. Not necessarily instantly get back on top, but limit the damage in those periods where you’re not your best and we didn’t do that the weekend,” he added.
Saracens return to the StoneX with their tails between their legs after an opening 30 minutes to forget away at Exeter. The Chiefs racked up 29 unanswered points before finally crossing the try line with only five minutes to go in the first half.
When the final whistle blew, Saracens had restructured but simply ran out of time to complete their comeback. They left Sandy Park with another loss, and their winless record at the ground continues.
Saracens are blessed with a squad that is world class. The trouble is that in a World Cup season, your best players are recovering from the highest level of competition and returning to club rugby at differing times.
“I think the challenge this year has been the real different dates of players returning. It’s really important that that the unions are really linked up with the club so there’s an understanding of return dates,” said Austerberry.
Despite some uncomfortable results to get the season underway, Austerberry’s side are back at full strength and kicked off 2023 in style with a 89-0 walloping of DMP Sharks.
Worcester come into this weekend on an emotional high after it was announced the club had signed a 10-year deal with Cube International.
The partnership is contingent on the club securing one of the two available spots in the Allianz Premier 15s from next season.
Austerberry is aware of the hardships that Worcester and other clubs in the league have had to overcome, particularly when the RFU springs crucial decisions on teams in the lead up to matches.
“We were all aware of the timelines that we’re going to be there. It doesn’t necessarily mean they were the right timelines.
“I’ve got a lot of time for the programme, a lot of time for job there and a lot of time for the players,” said Austerberry.
“I think it’s really important that we make timelines work, but more importantly that we look after the people involved around there because obviously it is challenging when livelihoods, jobs and careers have been impacted by this.
“I think going forward we can look at a process that has a better timeline to it,” he added.
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