Saracens number eight Ernst Joubert has expressed his excitement over the club's new home at Allianz Park in Barnet Copthall.
After leaving Vicarage Road following 16 years in Watford, Saracens will now play on an artificial surface at the new stadium where they will host the Aviva Premiership at the ground with the visit of Exeter Chiefs on Saturday.
"Watford has been good to us but going into the future, having our own home and building an environment here is very exciting," said Joubert to BBC London.
"In the beginning it will be a bit strange for us as well but we will pick it up quickly."
"We haven't played on it a lot and we are still having to pick up what we have to do with the wind and so on.
"It's like Twickenham in the summer. It's quite a hard surface but it's really fast. The ball has got good grip so it should help for entertaining rugby.
"I don't think it's a big difference for people coming here but the bounce of the ball might be a bit different."
The 2011 Premiership champions come into the game on the back of a surprise loss away to London Irish last weekend, with Joubert acknowledging that his side were far from at their best in Reading despite the loss of several players to the Six Nations.
"We realised if we don't play to our full ability or work hard we become an average side," added Joubert.
"We had to go back to basics and work on things we neglected last week. We pride ourselves on having a big squad so we have to step up and deliver."
Comments
Be the first to comment on this story..