Match Preview: Farrell: Connacht Rugby will be tough test
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After their convincing loss at Vodacom Bulls in Round 1 of the Investec Champions Cup, Saracens know they have to beat Connacht Rugby at the StoneX Stadium on Saturday to keep alive their bid for a fourth title. However, prolific fly-half Owen Farrell acknowledges it will be no easy task.
The Irish province will also be bristling after a 41-5 home drubbing by Union Bordeaux-Bègles last weekend which left them propping up Pool 1.
Farrell said: “Obviously, with the World Cup that Bundee Aki and Mack Hansen played, Bundee was one of the best players in the tournament.
“I'm sure that they’ll be looking to bring that form back to Connacht and they’ll be a tough test, but again you look forward to these days at home in the Champions Cup.”
Connacht will be without powerful wing Hansen, who limped off midway through the first half at The Sportsground as well as full-back Tiernan O’Halloran and lock Oisin Dowling.
However, assistant coach Collie Tucker told RTÉ Sport that the Irish province are “excited” about their trip to the Gallagher Premiership side.
"We’re written off, there is no doubt about that,” he said. "We have gotten criticism. When you concede 41 points at home, it’s going to be deserved.
“But we are excited about the challenge. We know the international pedigree they have, the Lions they have in the team. It is a great place for us to pitch up, show our wares and show that Friday night was an anomaly.
"I back the players to go out and give a performance on Saturday that we can make our supporters proud of again."
Saracens are also without a host of star players, including England forwards Ben Earl, Nick Isiekwe and Tom Willis as well as ex-England back Alex Lozowski, but they are boosted by the availability of No.8 Billy Vunipola.
The England international had his red card last weekend overturned by an independent disciplinary panel, who while accepting he had committed an act of foul play, felt it didn’t warrant a red card.
The tie starts at 13:00 GMT and can be watched on TNT Sports, beIN SPORTS, SuperSport and FloRugby.
