Saracens poised to build dynasty after European triumph

Saracens' domination of Europe was confirmed on Saturday as they claimed a second successive Champions Cup by beating Clermont at Murrayfield.

The London club dominated their French opponents to run out 28-17 winners and the plaudits have rained down on them.

Tries from Chris Ashton and George Kruis sent the Sarries on their way and when Clermont threatened a comeback, Owen Farrell's foot and another try from Alex Goode saw them home.

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Saracens are on their way to creating a dynasty under Mark McCall, says Brian Moore of the Daily Telegraph. They do not yet rival the great teams produced by Bath, Leicester and Wasps down the years, but they did what no other team has been able to do this year and contained Clermont with relative ease.

"It remained tense and tight score-wise right into the final ten minutes but in truth Saracens were in control of the outcome for nearly all the game," Moore adds.

"What Saracens have in abundance, most other sides struggle for frantically and often never achieve it – consistency. Even when they do not play well there is a standard below which they do not fall. When they do excel, it is just routine excellence, which shows how far they have evolved as a club and group of athletes."

Paul Rees of The Guardian agrees there is a collective strength about the team. There are big names in the Sarries ranks, but they are there for a reason: "Players are not signed on a whim, a flash of form or because they have been part of a World Cup-winning team, and there is an emphasis on development from within.

"The manner in which Saracens have put together their squad, along with a relatively low average age, suggests success will be sustained."

Although players will leave this summer, their replacements will improve the side, says Own Slot in The Times.

"Saracens are now double European champions and two games away from winning their third consecutive Premiership title too. Yet the brutal fact that their Continental rivals have to contend with is that the team who won the Champions Cup on Saturday are likely to be even better next season.

"The club are losing Chris Ashton, now the all-time leading tryscorer in Europe, but they are getting Liam Williams, the Welshman who has a more all-round game.

"Likewise they are losing Jim Hamilton, the lock who announced on Saturday evening that he was retiring after this season. In his stead, they are getting Will Skelton, all 6ft 8in, 22st of the giant Australian international. Another upgrade."