Barritt keen for Racing victory when Sarries travel to Brussels
SARACENS centre Brad Barritt believes that he and his team-mates will relish competing at the unique location of the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels at ‘home’ to Racing Metro on Saturday and that a win in the Heineken Cup fixture is “imperative”.
Both teams have won their previous matches and are among the tournament’s strongest and Barritt, who is also aware of the value of performing with England’s autumn internationals imminent, consequently believes his team-mates need to maintain the same clinical approach displayed in the 45-0 victory away to Edinburgh.
“In the Heineken Cup, there’s not many second chances, so being a home game for us, it’s imperative that we win,” Barritt said. “Players obviously thrive on the pressure so the bigger the game, the bigger the person that stands up. We can’t wait for the challenge.
“I think the team thrive on getting themselves up to play at different venues, and it’s awesome to spread rugby to new frontiers. Hopefully the locals in Brussels get behind us and we can play to a really big, receptive audience.
“This is as big as it comes in club rugby. Over the past three seasons we’ve always enjoyed going to these historic stadiums, whether it’s Welford Road, the Shed, we really enjoy the challenge of playing at these fortresses.
“Racing Metro have a very talented squad. Brendan Venter’s favourite Sireli Bobo is obviously a key individual for them but they’re definitely not a one-man team, they’re scattered with talent.
“[At this level] you get less and less chances, when they come you need to take them. Racing are a very strong team so when we get these chances you need to take them.”