Gaffney eager for European respect
April 23 2008
Saracens boss Alan Gaffney has challenged his players to prove they deserve to be considered among Europe's elite this coming Sunday.
The English side meet Munster in the Heineken Cup semi-final at the Ricoh Arena determined to claim the recognition they feel they deserve.
The north London club are viewed as the Guinness Premiership's great underachievers following years of bankrolling the recruitment of big names to little discernable return.
But Director of Rugby Gaffney has established a degree of consistency that was previously missing and hopes that will underpin further progress at Vicarage Road.
"The players themselves set a target last year that they wanted to be a Saracens team that climbs to another level," he said.
"They want to be treated with respect. I've only been here two seasons but maybe Saracens haven't been treated with an awful lot of respect in the past.
"Now we're competing with the top sides on a regular basis so we're striving to get there.
"Losing to Gloucester and Wasps in the Premiership over the last two weekends has been disappointing for us but generally we're getting there.
"We want to be where Wasps or Leicester are. They have the desire to win every game they play and that's where we need to be.
"If we want to be considered in that league then we must want to win every game."
Toppling Heineken Cup heavyweights Munster would certainly make the rest of Europe take notice as Saracens continue their voyage through uncharted waters.
The Irish province, champions in 2006, have reached the knockout stages for an unprecedented tenth successive year and are hunting a fourth final appearance.
Saracens' big match experience pales in comparison as they enjoy their first foray outside the group stages, but Gaffney's wise presence counts in their favour.
The Australian guided Munster to consecutive semi-finals in 2003 and 2004 during his successful spell as head coach at Thomond Park and understands what makes them tick.
"Munster have always had desire and you'd expect that desire to wane but it hasn't," he said.
"Ireland fly-half Ronan O'Gara contributes so much to what Munster do but it's the forwards who put Munster on the front foot and give Ronan the ability to play on the front foot.
"I don't think there's a better team in the world on the front foot, whatever style of game.
"We know we must compete up front and that's where the battle will be won or lost. That will affect whether Ronan plays the game he wants.
"We understand the magnitude of the occasion. It's something that might never happen again and we have to take this opportunity.
"Win, lose or draw we have to give it our best shot and whatever happens, so be it. We've got to front up and if we do, we're in the game."
Coventry may be a routine journey from Watford but Munster's remarkable travelling support will hand home advantage to the Irish and Gaffney is in awe of their fans.
"I can remember my first semi-final over in Toulouse. There was a farmer down in Kerry who only had four cows," he added.
"The only way he could get to the match was to sell one of them so that's what he did. That's the attitude of the people in Munster.
"Munster fans pay to be part of the team, other fans pay for entertainment."