Farrell turns attention to Ulster

Editor

Saracens pivot Owen Farrell is relishing Saturday's Heineken Cup quarter-final showdown against Ulster at Twickenham.

Saracens pivot Owen Farrell is relishing Saturday's Heineken Cup quarter-final showdown against Ulster at Twickenham.

After securing a 22-13 victory at Wasps to maintain the club's lead at the top of the Aviva Premiership table, the attention now turns to the matter of booking a place in the semi-finals.

And for Farrell, it's a quick return to Twickenham after Six Nations duty with England and the playmaker is looking forward to the challenge of knockout rugby.

Farrell has overtaken Glen Jackson as the club's top point scorer in the tournament – notching up 202 to surpass Jackson's previous record of 193.

“Ulster are a quality side and it's a huge game – one that I'm really looking forward to,” he said.

“It's going to be a huge occasion playing at Twickenham, and there's been tens of thousands tickets sold already so I'm looking forward to playing in that big game atmosphere again.

“Ulster have threats all over the park, so we know that we're going to have to maintain this good run of form if we are to beat them.”

Ulster made a blistering start to the season with 13 wins on the trot but they have won just one of their last four PRO12 contests, going down to Glasgow and Edinburgh and sharing the spoils with Treviso.

However, they go into the high profile last eight tie at the home of English rugby on the back of a 22-18 victory in Dublin over reigning Heineken Cup champions Leinster and Sarries' director of rugby Mark McCall insists their will be no complacency from the Premiership leaders.

“Ulster were absolutely flying in the early part of the season and had continued the form that took them to the final of the competition last season and made them one of the best side's in Europe in the past 12 months,” said McCall.

“Like a lot of clubs, they've had injuries and players away in the Six Nations but those players are now coming back to action and we know they are an excellent side. We have analysed them and they are still as well drilled and as well coached as they were at the start of the season.

“There's a good feeling amongst our group, the players are in good form and they're enjoying their rugby. Let's hope we can maintain that feeling and maintain that momentum into the game.”