Mako Vunipola
Mako Vunipola

Mako Vunipola calls for Saracens consistency


Saracens head to Cardiff to face the Blues in search of the complete performance that will strengthen their bid to reclaim the Champions Cup.

Three wins, two of them accompanied by a bonus point, have established Mark McCall's men as the pacesetters at the halfway stage of the group phase.

But England prop Mako Vunipola admits the 2016 and 2017 European champions must learn to keep their feet on opponents' throats for longer.

"We are in a good place. We are happy with the results, but the more important thing for us is consistency," said Vunipola, who made his comeback from a calf injury at Allianz Park last Sunday.

"Every now and then we dip out of games. For 10 minutes we will be on it in attack or defence.

"When it comes to bigger games, we can't play half a game against the best sides. That is something we need to work out.

"Results are going well, but we are excited at how far we can take it."

Saracens are lifted by the return of George Kruis from a calf problem but Liam Williams, the Wales full-back, is out with a hamstring issue.

The London club are in control of Pool Three, but a far tighter contest is unfolding in Pool One which is currently topped by Toulouse with Leinster tucked behind them in second.

Only an unlikely win at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday will propel Bath into contention with two rounds remaining, but Leinster will be led by Johnny Sexton after the world player of the year recovered from a sore calf.

Leo Cullen, the reigning champions' head coach, refuses to take victory for granted despite overseeing a 17-10 victory at the Recreation Ground last weekend.

"Over the years we've seen in the back-to-back games that just because you win away doesn't automatically guarantee success the following week. We've had to work hard as a group this week to ensure we're better," Cullen said.

Bath have been hit by the loss of wing Joe Cokanasiga to a knee problem that will keep him sidelined until next month.

Wasps are out of contention and travel to Toulouse without injured England back-rows Nathan Hughes and Brad Shields.

"I don't think we're a million miles off where we want to be. We've looked a bit better as a team over the past two to three weeks," Wasps boss Dai Young said.

"Toulouse are a team to be feared at home. They certainly step up their offloading game so we're going to have to go out and put a performance in.

"We'll have to do the basics well. It's a good place to go and try and build something before going back into the Premiership but we have to be better both sides of the ball."

In Saturday's only Pool Two match, Munster travel to Castres with the intent of removing the French club from group contention.


Related rugby union links