Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall thinks Gloucester might have “poked the bear” of their Champions Cup quarter-final opponents, La Rochelle.
The Men in Black recovered to beat Ospreys 35-20 in their round-of-16 clash at StoneX Stadium on Sunday, a day after La Rochelle edged Gloucester 29-26.
Many had predicted a comfortable win for the French outfit but the Cherry and Whites ran them all the way and were leading until a late try broke their hearts.
Proper test from Ospreys
McCall, whose troops travel to face La Rochelle this weekend, admitted his players were given a “proper test” from the Ospreys and expects similar in France.
“We had a proper test and we passed it. We didn’t play as well as we’d have liked for the first 55 minutes,” McCall said after the Champions Cup home win.
“I’m really pleased about that last 25 minutes against a good side. Everything was different – more aggressive and proactive.
“There was a different intensity about us. In the first 55 minutes we looked like a team that had a lot to lose.
“In these games against good teams like the Ospreys, everything just doesn’t go your way.
“You have to dig in and go through some tough moments and tough periods. We ended up enjoying that test and relished the battle.
“There will be another battle this weekend, which is very exciting because we’ve never been to La Rochelle before and they’re the reigning champions. Gloucester might have poked the bear a little bit.”
🤦♂️ Rhys Webb… #SARvOSP
📽️ Watch the moment of madness that cost Ospreys. #HeinekenChampionsCup https://t.co/KPP5BomkBo
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) April 2, 2023
Saracens‘ try scorers on Sunday were Max Malins (2), Duncan Taylor and Tom Woolstencroft, the latter pair crossing late on to add gloss to the final scoreline.
Taylor’s try in particular took the wind out the Ospreys’ sails as a loose quickly taken lineout from Rhys Webb found the centre, who crossed after coming on.
“To be that alive and that switched on and to see it happening before anyone else saw it happening was superb. That was one of the best first touches,” McCall said.
Wales international scrum-half Webb admitted his fault for Taylor’s try, but Ospreys boss Toby Booth refused to blame his player for looking to go quickly.
Booth refuses to blame Webb
“It was just on me,” Webb said. “I thought he put his hand up to call for it. Instinct. It is what it is.”
Booth added: “When you play Saracens, you have to take them out of their rhythm. You have to force it a bit.
“We knew we would have to do it our way. A lot of those things worked well for us. In that instance, it didn’t. But we have no regrets.”
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