Sarries start 2018 with Aviva Premiership trip to the Ricoch Arena on Sunday

Ham & High: Saracens' Nathan Earle during the Aviva Premiership match against Worcester Warriors (pic: Paul Harding/PA)Saracens' Nathan Earle during the Aviva Premiership match against Worcester Warriors (pic: Paul Harding/PA) (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

Saracens head for title rivals Wasps in the Aviva Premiership this Sunday, looking to maintain their recent good form.

After ending a run of seven straight defeats last month, Sarries have beaten both Leicester Tigers and Worcester Warriors.

The 46-31 success at home Warriors on Saturday also saw the north Londoners welcome captain Brad Barritt back to action after a recent injury lay-off.

The England international will hope to keep his place for the trip to the Ricoh Arena on Sunday, and says he is happy to be back in black.

“I’m delighted to be back. It’s always hard watching from the sidelines, but I’ve been hugely proud of the effort over the last couple of weeks,” the 31-year-old told the club website after beating Worcester.

“It was a great performance at Clermont Auvergne where we were unlucky not to win, and then we won at Leicester.

“Against Worcester, it was a bit patchy. In the first half, we were really disappointed in terms of how we performed, but we’re pleased with how we turned the screw in the second half.

“We got into the flow and our defence was much better, but there is a lot for us to work on in the coming weeks.”

The win over Worcester saw Saracens bring down the curtain on an impressive 2017 in fine style.

The Allianz Park ran in six tries at home, with both Jackson Wray and Nathan Earle scoring a brace, while Owen Farrell kicked 16 points.

Victory saw Sarries keep hold of second spot in the table, just five points adrift of leaders Exeter City, and Barritt was pleased to overcome a difficult Warriors side.

“Worcester are a proven team and over the past few weeks, they had three big wins, so they’re not an easy team to play against,” he added.

“We have a huge amount of respect of them, but in terms of turning the tide, that’s what the hallmark of this team is.

“We showed some resilience to deal with some tough bits in the game and responded well in the second half.”

Ahead of the weekend, just one point and one place separate second-placed Saracens from Wasps, who are currently third.

All that points to what should be a close game of rugby between two sides who possess some of the most talented squads in the division.