So far, so good, but Quins are next
KICKING INTO TOUCH WITH
BRENDAN VENTER
TWO wins in two, Saracens is a good place to be right now, but we know the hard work is just beginning.
Last weekend’s narrow victory over Northampton was a very special day for us – first playing in the first-ever rugby union match at Wembley and then holding on for a big win to continue our confident start to the season. The Saints felt aggrieved after Soane Tonga’uiha was denied a late try but the fact there was no conclusive evidence to give the try.
My players thought he had knocked the ball on, as did I at first sight, so I feel confident the right decision was made.
Playing at Wembley was a fantastic experience and it’s great that the club are prepared to branch out like that, for the sake of the fans as much as anything else. Having nearly 45,000 there made for a memorable day and the result just topped it off.
Starting a season with matches at Twickenham and then Wembley is a little unusual to say the least, but we will certainly not be feeling any comedown against Harlequins this Saturday. The Stoop is a super arena for playing rugby and we know we are going to have to up our game even more to continue our winning run.
After all that’s happened to them over the summer, Harlequins are like a wounded animal at the moment and that makes them a dangerous proposition.
With another game in London, we’re hopeful of another good turnout for Sarries fans and hopefully a good couple of thousand voices behind us can help us continue our march.
Thankfully, we picked up no further injuries at Wembley on Saturday, but we’ll be looking at making a few tactical changes after working on a couple of drills in training. Cross fingers it’ll be three in three come Saturday night.
• Brendan Venter is head coach of Saracens. For tickets for the forthcoming Gloucester home game, call 01727 792800.