Liam Williams returns from injury as Saracens set themselves task of making history by doing it the hard way
Saracens are bidding to become the first team to reach the last four in Europe for a record sixth time, but know that defeat in Wales will end their reign as continental champions
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Your support makes all the difference.If Saracens are going to become just the second club to be crowned European champions three times consecutively, they are going to have to do it the hard way.
A trip to Ospreys this Saturday night in the evening kick-off will be make or break for Mark McCall’s side, and while the Pro14 side have not been in the best of form in 2017/18, recent wins over the Dragons and Cardiff Blues came off the back of convincing home and away victories against Pool 2 whipping boys Northampton Saints.
There’s also the fresh memories of the October clash between these two sides to consider when, having lost both Dan Lydiate and Justin Tipuric ahead of kick-off and Rhys Webb sidelined, they pushed the reigning champions to the death in a 36-34 defeat at Allianz Park. Webb and Lydiate are back and firing on all cylinders, while a dangerous back line features Wales internationals Dan Biggar, Owen Watkin, Sam Davies and Dan Evans – who scored a marvellous double three months ago in north London.
Saracens are not quite the same side either though, and while the much-needed return of Billy Vunipola last week inspired the 38-12 victory over Wasps, it will be the inclusion of Liam Williams on the wing on Saturday that will catch the eye for fans of both sides.
Many of those wearing Ospreys black this weekend will be hoping to cheer on Williams in Wales red come the Six Nations, and having not played since suffering a groin injury in Wales’ victory over Georgia during the November, the British and Irish Lion will feel he has to make up for lost time in order to reassert himself as Warren Gatland’s most dangerous attacking option.
McCall has no worries about Williams remaining in one piece on his return – though accepted that bringing players back from injury can always be a “gamble” – given that, as Vunipola showed last weekend, there are certain players who can do that little bit extra that makes it a risk worth taking.
"We've taken our time but he looks pretty good,” McCall said.
"It's always a calculated gamble to bring someone back who hasn't played for a bit. But I think you do have the odd exceptional player who is able to do that and is good enough for you to want to put that player in. Liam is probably in that category."
McCall has decided to make five changes including Williams, as Jamie George returns at hooker, Jackson Wray is named at openside flanker, Marcelo Bosch comes into the centre and former Australia international Will Skelton keeps George Kruis out of the second-row alongside Maro Itoje. It is a reinforced and heavy duty pack that will look to suffocate the Ospreys forwards and prevent the likes of Davies and Evans from seeing as much ball as they did at Allianz Park, but it is also the perfect preparation for what could lie ahead for the defending champions.
Should Saracens leave the Liberty Stadium with at least four points, they will be expected to cruise past a Northampton side next weekend that, despite last week’s victory over Gloucester under former Sarries boss Alan Gaffney, are still in the middle of a crisis. Back-to-back victories will see Saracens through to the last eight of the Champions Cup, albeit as likely runners-up to Clermont Auvergne, and means that they will hit the road in the quarter-finals in a straight shootout to reach the last four for a record sixth consecutive year.
To put the importance of a home quarter-final into comparison of previous years, just two clubs have reached the semi-finals with a victory away from home: Saracens twice in 2013/14 and 2014/15, and Munster back in 2012/13. But if they find a way to dig deep and come away from a resurgent Ospreys side with the win in the bag, the rest of Europe – not least current favourites Leinster and La Rochelle – will certainly be put on notice that the reigning champions will not go down without a fight.
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