Return of internationals helps Saracens move ‘to another level’
Saracens' Alex Goode scores his side's second try of the game against Bath during the Aviva Premiership match at Allianz Park. Picture: NIGEL FRENCH/PA WIRE - Credit: PA Wire/PA Images
Alex Goode has hailed the impact of Saracens’ returning internationals after a dominant 53-10 display against Bath at Allianz Park.
The Hendon-based club ran in eight tries on Sunday, with the full back amongst the scorers on his return from injury.
The performances of those Sarries’ returning from Six Nations duty contributed to the manner of the victory and Goode believes it will only drive up performances.
“The England boys were incredible,” he told Ham & High Sport. “Every time those guys come back the standards are taken to another level. It’s a real privilege to have that in the group.
“There’s a lot of pride playing for the Saracens and they hit such heights and they never let up when they come back. I think we are really lucky.”
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Despite a competitive first half from Bath, the North London club amassed 36 unanswered points in the second 40 minutes, with Toulon-bound wing Chris Ashton crossing twice in the final stages.
“The team were great,” added Goode. “It was a little bit tense in that first half with some errors, but second half I thought everyone really dug in.
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“We came out really forceful in energy and togetherness and we were hounding and pressurising them into making mistakes and in attack we came out and scored tries.
“We worked off a lot of energy in the group and everyone came together with the intensity.”
The victory stretched their unbeaten Premiership run to three and keeps their hopes of a home semi-final alive.
They sit in third-place with just one point separating Sarries and Exeter Chiefs in second.
Their next league game will see the much-anticipated clash with Harlequins at Wembley on April 8.
But the big games are coming thick and fast and it is European action that is next up for Saracens as they host Glasgow Warriors in the quarter final of the Champions Cup on Sunday.
Goode said: “We’ve talked about building momentum now, playing well, building our performances and really working it.
“So for us it’s just about that work, going back to the training paddock putting a big effort in and making sure we keep improving.
“There are some huge games but we can’t look any further than the quarter final next week.
“Glasgow are a very good side that have been improving a lot over the last couple of years. They’re Pro12 champions – they’re a top side full of internationals who have been playing brilliantly in the Six Nations.
“We’re under no illusions it’s going to be a tough game. We’ll need to be at our best to get a win.
“They’ve got nothing to lose. Coming down here they know the pitch isn’t any different for them and they’ve got internationals who are used to big games.
“We’ve got some huge challenges ahead so we’re going to have to be at the top our game.”
