Strettle: Sarries can go all the way

Wing David Strettle believes Saracens will be at their best when it matters most ahead of Sunday's clash with Sale Sharks - claiming they have the strength in depth to challenge on three fronts.

Sarries will play their only January Premiership fixture on Sunday when struggling Sale visit Vicarage Road before preparing for a European double header and back-to-back Cup fixtures.

Victory over Sale and a Harlequins slip up against London Welsh would see Sarries top the table for at least a month as the cup competitions return.

Should results go Saracens' way, Mark McCall's side would head into the business end in pole position across the board as they already lead the way already in European Cup Pool One and Cup Pool Three.

For Strettle that is no coincidence with the 29-year-old insisting the manner in which McCall has managed his squad will ensure they cross the finish line at a sprint.

"The game has changed a lot and certainly at Saracens we have rotated a lot this year to keep everyone fresh," said Strettle, who has appeared in eight of Saracens 12 Premiership games this season.

"It's good as a player because you know you are being looked after but you also know if you're not in the team then you're going to get your chance to play at some point and you just have to take it.

"There are a lot of games now and we are well looked after. When I first started at Harlequins it wasn't like that but that has changed. We've got a lot of strength in our squad now so we know come January and February and beyond we'll be in good shape.

"As a player it is logical that if you're playing fewer games in the season then you're going to be able to play for more seasons so it hopefully something that will help in that regard as well."

Strettle and his Saracens team mates were down at their new home this week to train on the artificial 4G surface at Allianz Park for the first time.

And the former Rotherham and Harlequins wing was quick to give the surface - which will make its own Premiership debut with the visit of Exeter Chiefs on February 13 - the thumbs up.

"It was our first training session on the new pitch and it was reacting like a normal pitch," added Strettle.

"It was a bit softer than expected which was good and the bounce of the ball was good.

"For ourselves we just need to concentrate on what comes next and making sure we continue our form all the way through into the European Cup.

"We're pleased with where we are at the moment but we know we are only half-way through and we've got to maintain it."