Exclusive
Tompkins: Saracens are ‘chasing perfection’ as they begin title defences
Saracens' Nick Tompkins (right) in action against Wasps last season. Pic: PA - Credit: EMPICS Sport
Nick Tompkins says Saracens are “chasing perfection” as they start the defence of their Premiership and European titles with a league clash against Worcester at Twickenham on Saturday.
The Hendon-based club will be striving to emulate Leicester Tigers’ back-to-back domestic and continental successes in 2001 and 2002 – and 21-year-old centre Tompkins and his team-mates are raring to go.
“We’ve had new players in – people like Sean Maitland – and it almost feels fresh,” he told Ham&High Sport. “I think the message has been that this really is a new season and it’s about creating more memories.
“Yes, what’s [happened in the] past is fantastic. But I think a lot of players, from the end of the final whistle in the Premiership final, kind of wanted more.
“It shows that the relentless attitude that a lot of these coaches have, we have as well. You just want to have the attitude that it’s never enough, and chasing that perfection.
You may also want to watch:
“This season is very much everyone’s for the taking and we’ve definitely got our hands full with a lot of good clubs like Wasps. Harlequins have made good signings and Worcester’s no different.
“I think there’s just an excitement and real hunger from everyone – myself included, trying to get in that first team and trying to be a regular or, if that’s not the case, trying to do anything I can to make sure we get the wins and we’re back in the same situation we were in last year.”
Most Read
- 1 Camden residents offered symptom-free Covid testing
- 2 Buyers claim luxury flats are 'nightmare' construction site
- 3 Haverstock Hill cycle lanes order scrapped by Camden Council
- 4 Crouch End's 'Paul the Paper' bids farewell to Broadway stall
- 5 Mikel Arteta turns focus to new signings after Arsenal let fringe players leave
- 6 Plans for council homes to replace Highgate car wash
- 7 Arsenal legend Nigel Winterburn relieved to see Mesut Ozil depart
- 8 Councillors slam 'outrageous' change of plans for 100 Avenue Road
- 9 Arsenal look to bounce back at home to West Ham
- 10 Lord's Cricket Ground used as Covid-19 vaccination centre
Tompkins recently signed a new three-year contract at Saracens, and he added: “The year we had last year was amazing. The words do get thrown about a lot about this club being special and like a family and loving each other – it really is the case.
“For me, being treated unbelievably well and having the people that are here – the coaches that are here, that have all committed their futures here – honestly it’s a no brainer. I don’t think any other club really came into my mind because of how much I’ve been here, how much I love it.”
Follow me on Twitter @AaronTillyer