Eddie Jones has been told by Saracens that he has no reason to fear England’s Six Nations campaign being wrecked by the withdrawal of their players.
Two days after accepting a 35-point deduction and a fine of £5.36 million for breaching the salary cap, the Premiership champions held clear the air talks with their entire playing squad.
Team boss Mark McCall addressed the group, answering questions and assuring the players that withdrawing them from England duty in order to bolster Saracens’ relegation fight would not happen.
Sarries have plunged to the foot of the table, 26 points adrift and five of their remaining 18 league games clash with the Six Nations.
But McCall said: “To be clear, I support our players playing for England 100 per cent. I genuinely want them to. It's the absolute pinnacle of the game.”
Saracens supplied six of the team that started the World Cup final and Jones reckons the club’s plight could have a “significant impact” on England’s campaign.
“I'm not sure why Eddie is saying that to be honest,” McCall said. “Certainly that is something I would never ask one of our players to do. Playing international rugby is really important.”
Saracens provide the spine of the England team, from Elliot Daly at fullback to captain Owen Farrell and forwards Jamie George, Maro Itoje, George Kruis and the Vunipola brothers.
“Wanting to play in the Six Nations doesn't mean you're not committed to the club,” McCall added. “All of these guys are 100 per cent committed, but playing for your country is playing for your country and I would support that every time.”
Saracens insist the club has now drawn a line under the episode. “We are going to concentrate on the rugby, which is what we are paid to do,” McCall said. “Get back to what we do well.”
That may be wishful thinking as everyone has an opinion on the scandal, but he knows words will not make up the lost ground. Only deeds will.
“What this week’s decision does is make things very clear what our position is in the table and what needs to be done,” McCall added. “There is nothing overhanging, no doubt about what is required.
“This squad have been tested over the 10 years that I have been here. This is new territory for us. A new and very different challenge and not an easy one.
“We definitely believe we can stay up but it is easy to get our approach wrong and go into games with anxiety and become desperate. Our job is to make sure we are not counting points on the table.”
