Taylor and the rest of Sarries’ international contingent are now solely focused on chasing a Premiership and European Champions Cup double and they will be keen to move on from last weekend’s stuttering European quarter-final 29-20 win over Northampton.
“We have identified areas that need improvement running into this match with Quins,” added Taylor. “We weren’t really ourselves in the first half. We understand that our discipline wasn’t there. We made too many mistakes and we will take those lessons into the big games left in the season. Everyone is excited to run out at Wembley. It is special.
“Experience does count at this stage of the season. Because a lot of the boys have been involved in semi-finals and finals, it means they know how big the hype is and they won’t be shocked by anything. All the matches are now must-wins for us.”
With three rounds of the regular Premiership season to go, plus the Champions Cup semi-final against Wasps on April 23, the pressure is mounting for Sarries. Going into this weekend’s matches, only five points separate the top three, with Quins in sixth, five points off a play-off place.
This round of Premiership games is being used to support Restart Rugby, a programme aiming to spend more than £370,000 supporting current and former players through serious injury, rehabilitation, counselling and career transition, as well investing in community projects.
The need for this support has been brought into sharp focus by yesterday’s announcement that Bath captain Stuart Hooper is being forced to retire through injury.
Third-placed Wasps travel to Worcester looking for a win to maintain momentum, while London Irish face Newcastle in a relegation ‘eight-pointer’. The bottom club trail Newcastle by four points.
