Champions Cup final: Sky Sports pundits give their predictions – SkySports
Last Updated: 13/05/16 12:06am
The Sky Sports pundits give their predictions ahead of Saturday’s Champions Cup final between Saracens and Racing 92.
The game will be televised live on Sky Sports 2 HD from 3.45pm and we will have special guests Jonny Wilkinson and Paul O’Connell joining us to offer their insights as former champions of Europe.
Racing 92 vs Saracens
May 14, 2016, 3:45pm
Live on 
The game itself promises to be a lively one with the likes of former All Black Dan Carter, rising England star Maro Itoje and Argentina flyer Juan Imhoff all on stage.
Neither side has ever won the title, but who will end the match the toast of Europe?
Will Greenwood
Saracens will be looking to get rid of the curse that has been going on for 20 years: No team has ever gone right through the tournament in its current format unbeaten and gone on to win. Northampton were so close before Leinster downed them in 2011.
Chris Masoe’s battle with Billy Vunipola will be absolutely epic in deciding who wins the gainline.
Will Greenwood
Saracens’ form has been outstanding, their defensive press as good as always but they have continued to add expanse and width to their game – Sarries are now a threat in the wide channels.
This year Racing have looked calm and composed. When it comes to Racing, the Kiwi who people may not talk about is Chris Masoe at No 8. His battle with Billy Vunipola will be absolutely epic in deciding who wins the gainline – and in finals whoever wins the gainline goes a long way in winning the match.
Racing are full of stellar names but I am sticking with Saracens, who I have backed from the start. I think their time is now.
Scott Quinnell
This should be a cracking encounter. Saracens have been to one final before and have been absolutely outstanding in the way they have played and controlled the games.
They won all six of their pool games which is impressive; they stuttered a bit against Northampton Saints in the quarter-final but had enough and followed that up with a good win against a high-flying Wasps side.
You look through Saracens’ players – Maro Itoje, George Kruis and Billy Vunipola – and they all have really grown this year.
Plus Jamie George is coming back – I thought he was outstanding before his injury. This game is in France and Racing will be very strong but the way Sarries are playing, I think you have to have them as favourites.
Stuart Barnes
The day Saracens beat Toulouse in round one of the European Champions Cup was the day I thought this could be their year. This game was eclipsed however by the tragedy of the Paris attacks. Maybe Toulouse were off their game. Maybe, although Thierry Dusautoir refused to make any excuses.
One week later Saracens smashed Ulster in Belfast. That was the day I thought it would be their year. Nothing has changed my mind. Eight games played and eight comfortable victories. No team has won all nine games we are told, as if that has any bearing on the result.
Racing have looked the likeliest danger since they ruthlessly demolished the Saints at home. But they have lost and drawn a game. Toulon – past their best – was a narrow squeak at home and Leicester should have been beaten with more conviction than they eventually were.
Anglo-French finals
Saturday’s final will be the sixth England v France decider. We look at the previous five.
What I am suggesting is that Racing 92, with Dan Carter and all, have more flaws in their armoury than a Saracens side that has the belief, the extra European experience and the capacity to win it via their backs or forwards. An English trophy lift is not overdue.
The Premiership has floundered in mediocrity and muscle for too long. The reason England has been the dominant side this season has been the massively more ambitious and balanced nature of its club rugby. Saracens will represent them well in Lyon, I expect them to win.
Sean Fitzpatrick
I think we have the two best teams in Europe competing here and it is going to be a close game. It’s not a home game for Racing 92 but it is being played in France which has got to count for something.
I would not be surprised if Saracens won but I think Racing 92 will just win it with Dan Carter being the difference.
Sean Fitzpatrick
They also have a forward pack that can compete and if Dan Carter is on his game then they have every chance of winning. Saracens will look to get to him and unsettle him but many teams have tried that unsuccessfully. Saracens have come of age though and I have been very impressed with the depth and experience they have got.
Saracens have really lifted the bar for English rugby both on and off the field and I really would not be surprised if they won, but I am going to say that Racing 92 will just win it with Dan Carter being the difference.
Dewi Morris
Everyone is talking about Dan Carter but I think this game will be decided by the enormous Racing 92 pack. The club has invested heavily in their heavies and I see them squeezing the life out of their Saracens counterparts in the set piece and the loose.
Racing 92 will know exactly what will comes from Sarries; they are the best in the English game with the press defence, but you need a bit more than that in the final.
I see Carter winning his battle with Farrell in the No 10 jerseys, as he’s got a better eye for a gap and the ability to score tries. If there aren’t many tries and the game is run close it will come down to kicking and I see Carter edging Farrell in that department too.
Racing have shed their reckless approach to the game in favour of a more balanced style, so I think they will be able to absorb everything that Saracens throw at them, and hit back with points.
Michael Lynagh
Saracens have worked hard to get into the position of being in a European final as well as a Premiership semi-final. They’ve been here before and lost out on both titles, which will have hurt at the time but that experience will strengthen them going into this match.
The way Saracens went while their big names were on international duty shows that they have plenty of young talent, but there are also the likes of Schalk Brits, Jim Hamilton and Kelly Brown who may not feature this Saturday, but will be offering plenty of their experience to the squad as they build towards the game.
I can see Saracens getting over the line this weekend. Owen Farrell had a good Six Nations and has improved since then, and if Sarries are to win the game a lot of it will come down to how he steers the ship.
What works for Saracens is that their ball carriers are powerful runners – such as Maro Itoje and the Vunipola brothers – and it grinds teams down to have to tackle one after the other. Once a team has been softened, that’s when Farrell can unleash the dangerous finishers out wide.
In defence they hurry the half-backs and put them under pressure to play rugby in the wrong half of the field, which leads to a lot of kicking to someone like Alex Goode, who is a really good footballer with a sense for when to go and when not to go. He links up well with his his wingers to punish sides who don’t make touch with their clearance.
Watch the Champions Cup final between Saracens and Racing 92 live on Sky Sports 2 this Saturday from 3.45pm, where Jonny Wilkinson and Paul O’Connell join us as special guests
