Mike Blair – “A point at Saracens isn’t too bad an outcome”

Despite a 30-26 loss to Saracens, having led 12-16 at halftime, there were plenty of positives for Mike Blair and his Edinburgh players after a tough result at the Stonex on Sunday.

“I think a point at Saracens isn’t too bad an outcome. Obviously, we wanted to win, but we’ve got a point. We’re aware that last season, a win and a draw from the four games got them [last year’s Champions Cup teams] through to the last 16, and that’s obviously what our goal is.” Blair said.

There was some surprise as to just how close Edinburgh pushed Saracens to an opening-round loss. However, Blair took issue with that: “We should be doing that, with the team that we’re able to put on the pitch, we should be competing with these teams.

“We have a number of issues that we have to deal with through the season, being one of those two teams from Scotland, but you look at that team that we’re able to put out, and we should be challenging Saracens.”he said.

“You know I’m frustrated that we didn’t get it over the line, but I’m proud of where we’re at with our performances.” Blair argued.

Indeed, Edinburgh put in an almost complete performance on the day. Yet, when playing in European rugby’s premier competition, Blair’s team cannot afford to have a set piece as dysfunctional as it was on Sunday. 

Three consecutive lineouts were turned over in the second half, which is too many against any opponent, let alone one with the experience of Mark McCall’s Saracens. As well as this, Edinburgh were regularly penalised at the scrum. It was such a big issue that starting tighthead Luan de Bruin was replaced by WP Nel just 32 minutes into the match.

Having been Sarries’ Director of Rugby since the 2009/10 season, McCall has seen it all in his tenure but was less than pleased with his side’s first-half performance.

“We lacked quite a lot today, but a lot of that was down to them. I thought they were fantastic. We faced a lot of two-man tackles. They did a great job at the breakdown.

“It would be easy for us to say we haven’t been together for six weeks, which we haven’t, and a few of our team haven’t played for three or four weeks, but I thought in the first half, in particular, we lacked the intent that you need in the European cup.” McCall said.

Disregarding the poor performance, McCall’s side now has ten wins from ten games in all competitions, and he was satisfied with the ability of his side to scrap out the result. 

“We’re not pleased with how we played, of course, but we know that in this competition, you never have things your own way, and to find a way to get the result is important.” He added.

After a nail-biting encounter, both sides will have tough tests next weekend, with Saracens on the road against Lyon and Edinburgh at home against Castres on Saturday. Both French sides will be hoping to improve after opening-round losses to Vodacom Bulls and Exeter Chiefs, respectively.

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