Jamie George reveals the formula behind Saracens' success after European Champions Cup victory

Jamie George knows a thing or two about winning major competitions. The England hooker has won two Premiership titles and, after Saturday’s 28-17 victory over Clermont Auvergne, two European Challenge Cup finals. He is only 26 years old.

The hooker has been one of the revelations of the Saracens academy along with Maro Itoje, and his form over the last year has led to weighted calls for him to replace the England captain, Dylan Hartley, in Eddie Jones’ starting XV for England.

Last season, George was part of the Saracens side that won the double, a feat they are attempting to achieve again this year after the victory at Murrayfield. Despite starting last year’s European Cup final among the replacements – along with both the Premiership semi-final and finals – George’s impact was a major reason why Sarries did the double as he scored a 30-metre try in the Premiership final along with setting up Chris Wyles in the win over Exeter Chiefs.

Sarries face the Chiefs again this weekend, but Saturday night George offered an insight into why Saracens are so successful when it comes to the biggest games – they have not lost a play-off match since they lost to Clermont in April 2015.

“We found a way last year,” George said. “I think we’ve seen a formula of what works for us. But we are fully aware of the challenge of going to Sandy Park, it’s going to be a huge test for us.

“[The coaches] gave us a couple of days off for it to soak in. If we were in on Monday morning, it would be a bit tough to focus. So give us an extra day off and then we come in on Tuesday morning and it’s business time, we are fully focussed on Exeter, we put what’s behind us behind us.”

Exeter will have been heartened by seeing the success that Clermont enjoyed at the breakdown against Saracens, with the Top 14 side’s back-row a major reason why the score was 18-17 in Sarries’ favour heading into the final 15 minutes.

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But while George praised the Clermont back-row, he paid more attention to the attractive rugby that Saracens relied on to score their three tries, with the Premiership side receiving criticism in the past for playing ‘boring’ rugby with the England international highlighting just how good they were with the ball in hand.

“Look at the type of rugby we played and we probably left three or four tries out there – which is a good thought,” George added. “Clermont being the sort of team they are, being clever around the 22 and slowing our ball down – if we managed to generate quick ball in those times, it could have been dangerous. We’ll learn and get better for next week.”

He added: “The breakdown is always going to be a huge factor in the game. Clermont have fantastic players and their back-row are unbelievable over the ball; they seem to have heavy men all around the field. If Exeter can do similar things, it’s going to be tough for us. But we found a way today and hopefully we can on Saturday.”