Saracens Vs Harlequins Could Lift Mark McCall Into Top Four

Saracens vs harlequins could move Saracens into the Premiership top four on Saturday. A win would lift them above Exeter into fourth if Exeter lose at Leicester on Sunday. That would leave the fourth playoff spot to be settled on the final weekend at Sandy Park.

Mark McCall and Sandy Park

Mark McCall called the final home game significant, but he kept the focus on the table. “Saracens has been a huge part of my life for the last 17 years,” he said, “so the final home game will obviously be significant.” “But until the final whistle, my focus remains purely on the game and what is at stake for us.”

McCall is in his 15th year as Saracens director of rugby and has won six English titles and three European titles during his time there. Brendan Venter brought him to the club as a first-team coach in 2009, and Saracens won their first top-flight title in 2011.

Leicester and Exeter

The numbers around the race are heavily tilted toward Saracens and Leicester. Saracens are 20-point favourites to beat Harlequins, while Leicester are 11-point favourites to beat Exeter. The bookies rate both underdogs winning as a one-in-50 chance.

That leaves a narrow path but a clear one. If the expected results land, Saracens and Exeter will meet on the final weekend of the regular season for the fourth playoff spot at Sandy Park, with Saracens carrying the chance to arrive there already in fourth.

McCall will make three changes from the side that beat Gloucester last time out, a reminder that Saturday is not just about sentiment around his final home match. It is also about whether Saracens can turn one win into a shot at the playoff places.