(Clockwise) Neil de Kock; directing the Saracens pack; celebrating last year’s victory with daughter Layla
Photos: Getty
players for their national teams. South Africa only recently changed their tune on the policy. ”We pride ourselves on our away record, and that could be part of it, we don’t have as many home-grown guys,” de Kock says. The return match against Munster will be only the third time this year Saracens have played at their “home” ground, Vicarage Road, Watford. Early in 2012, though, they’ll have a permanent base at Barnet Copthall Stadium, which will be known as Allianz Park and will be the first professional rugby ground in Britain with an artificial, all-weather surface. De Kock says having a home ground will give the club a more defined identity and he hopes they can make it a fortress. Until then they’ll be the all-conquering nomads. A former Stormers player in Super Rugby, de Kock represented South Africa in the 2003 World Cup in Australia where, as he puts it, “the All Blacks smashed us” in the quarter final. He has played in the UK since 2006. “It’s been a good time,” he says. “This is my seventh season at Saracens and I love it. It’s been a big change in the club that I arrived at. It’s a team that’s always been OK but not always pushed for silverware, but that’s changed. “The Premiership is one of the toughest comps week in, week out. Any team can beat another, first to last,” he says. He says playing in the Heineken Cup – unique to rugby in that the club sides take on Europe rather than representative sides such as those in Super Rugby – is the icing on the cake. “I think it’s the best comp in rugby to play in,” he says. “It’s phenomenal. I loved being in the Super Rugby teams when I played, but there’s something extra to this, maybe it’s because it’s the club you play with all year that goes into the big competition.” Saracens play Munster in Limerick on December 8, 6pm, broadcast on Sky Sports 1 & on December 16, 3pm, at Vicarage Road Stadium, Watford. Visit saracens.com for ticket details
Quin-tastic: Chris Robshaw’s back
HIGH-FLYING HARLEQUINS TAKE ON WINLESS ZEBRES The Aviva Premiership leaders Harlequins will welcome back their England stars when they play Italy’s Zebre home and away over the next two weeks. Zebre are winless from the first two Heineken Cup matches, a nightmare start for the Parma team’s debut in Europe’s top club competition. The Harlequins, in contrast, are flying with two wins from two after thrashing Barritz 40-13 at Twickenham Stoop in round one and overcoming tough Connacht 30-22 away from home. Quins have had six stars on international duty over autumn, including Danny Care and captain Chris Robshaw, but remain on top of the Premiership. They’ll be keen to stay in pole position in Europe. Harlequins play Zebre in Parma, Italy, December 8, 1.35pm (view online) & December 15, 3pm, at Twickenham Stoop. Visit quins.co.uk for ticket details
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