McCall praises Azéma ahead of semi-final
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Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall has heaped praise on RC Toulon head coach Franck Azéma prior to the clubs’ EPCR Challenge Cup semi-final at Stade Félix Mayol on Saturday night.
The pair have crossed paths before, most notably in the 2017 Heineken Champions Cup final, when Azéma was head coach of ASM Clermont Auvergne and Saracens triumphed 28-17.
When asked if there was any needle between them, McCall replied: “No. This is not football. Our teams are rivals and we will prepare our players as best we can. There is nothing between me and Franck.
“Franck’s improved them. You look at Toulon before Franck and look at them since Franck, and they are a better team.”
What a throwback 😍
A special day in Toulon back in 2016 😎
We go again on Saturday 💪#StrongerTogether ⚫️🔴 pic.twitter.com/YBzzyEn6sj
— Saracens Rugby Club (@Saracens) May 12, 2022
McCall was also full of praise for his squad of experienced internationals as they bid to guide Saracens to their first Challenge Cup final, especially England lock Maro Itoje.
“They have been superb for the club, bearing in mind we were in the championship and the club needed a fresh start,” said the Sarries’ boss.
“He (Maro) was near his best last week. He was energetic, looked good physically and we’ll need him at that level on Saturday.”
The Northern Irishman will be looking for a repeat of Saracens’ outstanding performance in last week’s quarter-finals, when they stormed to a 44-15 victory at Gloucester Rugby.
“The level of performance sits highly,” he commented. “It was an important victory in a big game and it is important we maintain that standard.”
