Positivity the key for Sarries' Amlin campaign

The Vicarage Road outfit currently sit at the top of their domestic league after an unbeaten start to their domestic campaign.
Five wins from as many games have seen the 2008 Heineken Cup semi-finalists make a mockery of many pundits' pre-season predictions.

And, despite a summer of upheaval following the introduction of new owners, a new director of rugby and a mass exodus of players, the man plotting Sarries' charge forward believes his side are really gelling as a unit ahead of their Amlin Challenge Cup opener against Rovigo on Sunday.

"We didn't play well as individuals, but we played very well as a team," said director of rugby Brendan Venter after a 22-15 win at Newcastle.

"That was the difference. Paul Gustard, Cobus Visagie and Alex Sanderson put in a huge amount of work on our lineout defence, lineout and scrum and that was the difference.

"Some of our real stars were not on fire and there were a few mistakes, but as a team, we were excellent. We played some nice rugby out there and scored some good tries and that is very pleasing.

"We can see how hard the players are working. They try, try and then try again. We will lose a few games because this is sport and that happens, but we want to go out and make everyone connected with the club very proud with our efforts.

"We're trying to create a culture that will remain at Saracens long after the current group of players and coaches have gone - that is a culture of being positive about everything we do."