Sarries have the international stars to achieve European glory
No team has ever won every game of a victorious European rugby campaign, but that’s exactly what Saracens intend to do when they take on Racing 92 in the final of the Champions Cup tomorrow.
History would suggest that it won’t happen, but form says otherwise.
In recent weeks, Sarries have dispatched both Wasps and Northampton and they’ve only lost twice in all competitions since the beginning of March.
Racing 92, on the other hand, have lost four in the same period, including a 60-7 demolition at the hands of Top 14 championship hopefuls Montpellier.
The rugby traders are struggling to pick the two sides apart, with odds currently shading in the Parisians’ favour.
For my money, the bookies are backing the wrong team.
Sarries are a fairly generous 2/1 to win by 1-10 points, and I think they’ll nick it by that margin.
With that in mind, however, there’s more value to be found in selling Racing 92’s supremacy, currently at -0.5-1.5 with Sporting Index.
Saracens, who were beaten finalists in 2014, have a point to prove.
They’re also littered with big game players including Six Nations Grand Slam winners Billy Vunipola, Maro Itoje and George Kruis – not to mention the talismanic Owen Farrell, who’ll do battle at fly-half with peerless All Black hero Dan Carter.
At such tight margins, it’s surely only a matter of time before we see a drop goal sail over.
Carter did it memorably for New Zealand in the 2015 Rugby World Cup final, while Farrell has also nailed attempts in important fixtures.
I’ll take a general 11/10 on seeing another through the posts tomorrow.
Pointers
Sell Racing 92 supremacy -0.5 (Sporting Index)
Drop goal by either team 2.55 (general)