Saracens hooker Schalk Brits braced for Dylan Hartley’s dark arts

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Brit and grit: Sarries man ready for Twickenham showdown

Nik Simon

29 May 2014

Schalk Brits is relishing the prospect of another fiery confrontation with Northampton skipper Dylan Hartley in Saturday’s Aviva Premiership Final.

The two hookers have history and, if Hartley passes a late fitness test tomorrow, they will renew hostilities in this weekend’s title decider at Twickenham.

Their rivalry dates back to 2009 when Brits — facing a Saints team that included Chris Ashton, now of Saracens — first experienced Hartley’s dark arts; the sort of niggle that has on occasions landed the England hooker in trouble.

“Dylan welcomed me into Premiership rugby quite quickly and, from then on, my love for this clash has always brought the best out of me,” said Brits.

“I definitely see this as a grudge match. I don’t mind if he is playing or not but in essence that is how my love for Northampton started.

“They had Chris Ashton as well and he was a d**k when I played against him. Now he is playing for us, he is a tough competitor and I would rather play with Chris than against him.”

Ashton’s Northampton days are long behind him and the 27-year-old will be hoping to continue his fine scoring form on Saturday alongside Saracens team-mate David Strettle.

The two wingers experienced a tough night in the Heineken Cup Final defeat to Toulon last weekend but they now have a second opportunity to finish the season with some silverware.

“We will be very, very disappointed if we don’t win at the weekend,” said Strettle. “Would it be a disaster if we don’t come away from this season with silverware? I don’t think you can say that — we’ve had a very, very good season.

“Obviously it was disappointing to lose at the weekend but the boys are raring to go. A Premiership Final is a hell of an occasion.”

For veteran forwards Steve Borthwick and Matt Stevens, the season finale will be their last match for Saracens. Scotland lock Jim Hamilton, Argentina prop Juan Figallo and England Sevens wing Mike Ellery all signed for the club yesterday but Strettle is determined to give both Borthwick and Stevens a send-off to remember.

“You become best mates with the lads and you go through so many emotions together,” said Strettle.

“You want to make sure they leave on a high. You want them to go into the next stage of their lives on a winning note.”

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Saracens hooker Schalk Brits braced for Dylan Hartley’s dark arts

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