Brad Barritt interview: Saracens' Champions Cup strategy 'flying under the radar'

Brad Barritt believes it suits his old club Saracens to be “flying under the radar” in this season’s Champions Cup.

Saracens go into their final pool game with Castres on Sunday having yet to secure qualification to the knockout rounds.

They currently sit third in Pool 3 and will book a place in the last-16 provided Stade Francais don’t beat the Bulls by more than 49 points.

Saracens have had a mixed run in Europe this season, beating the Bulls and Stade Francais but losing Munster.

It has led to them being sixth favourites with the bookmakers to go all the way, however former Saracens captain Barritt believes it may suit them being written off.

“I think we have always spoken in years past, you want to give yourself the cleanest ride to a final potentially,” he told Standard Sport.

“But in years past it has shown, with La Rochelle being a pretty good example of that, with each knockout game they become more impressive and more galvanised and look like the team to beat.

“Whereas in the early parts of the pool round, people have always been talking up the likes of Leinster and Toulouse or the other incumbents at the time. They have just steadily gone about their job and have been champions twice.

“Saracens will be well aware of that and flying under the radar is not necessarily a bad place to be.”

Saracens lost a number of big players back in the summer, including former England captain Owen Farrell.

A new crop of players has stepped up, such as fly-half Fergus Burke, and they currently sit third in the Premiership.

“You mention Owen, who leaves huge shoes to fill, as well as Billy Vunipola and Mako Vunipola - guys who have been part of the squad for sort of 10 to 12 years,” Barritt added.

“But I think the new players who have come in have started to grow into their roles and really force their way in how the team sort of plays and dictates.

“Tom Willis has been super impressive and Fergus Burke, again, probably came with less of the baggage of maybe an incumbent in the English game coming to Saracens. He came with a fresh outlook and is starting to put his stamp on the team.”

Maro Itoje is one of those who has stayed and the lock goes into Sunday’s game with Castres at home having been made England captain this week.

Barritt, who played with Itoje at Saracens, believes it was the right call for England to make him captain and has backed him to shine.

“It’s the perfect timing,” said Barritt. “I am sure he will still lean on the likes of Jamie George, both at club and country.

“With every leadership position, I don’t think you are reliant on being that one man for the team. There will be a trusted group who support Maro.

“He will look to put his own unique print on it and I think, as with every captain, they need to be the most authentic leader they can be.

“For me, Maro has always been a guy who leads by his action. He is a guy who stands up on the big-game stage and takes the team forward.”

Brad Barritt will join the Premier Sports team bringing every game live from the Investec Champions Cup this weekend as play-off places are decided. Brad joins Claire Thomas, Topsy Ojo, Chris Robshaw, Tom Shanklin and Martin Gillingham on Sunday at StoneX stadium for Saracens v Castres with live coverage from 3pm on Premier Sports 1. Premier Sports is available in the UK from £10.99 a month on Sky, Virgin and Amazon Prime. Premier Sports also streams online via dedicated apps on a wide range of devices and platforms. Visit: www.premiersports.tv to sign-up.