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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.
“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.”
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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.”
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