Alex King today warned Saracens that his Clermont Auvergne team are equipped to end the Premiership champions’ bid for Heineken Cup glory.
The former England fly-half, who helped London Wasps become European champions, is a key member of the Clermont coaching team and believes his squad have the firepower to blunt Sarries at Vicarage Road on Sunday.
Clermont boast six members of France’s Six Nations squad including rising star Wesley Fofana, who will be in midfield alongside Test partner Aurelien Rougerie, while up front they include back-row powerhouse Julien Bonnaire and Scotland lock Nathan Hines.
England centre Brad Barritt — rested for the defeat against Harlequins last Saturday — will return to negate the skills of Fofana but it will be a major test of Sarries’ resolve.
King said: “Fofana got his chance during the period when the French players were at the World Cup and made an immediate impact, creating three or four line breaks every game. His try scoring in the Six Nations highlighted what a talent he is.
“He is a very special player and is going to be a key part of the Clermont and France teams for a long time. What sets him apart from other good centres is his pace and that is why he has also been used on the wing.
Clermont, like Sarries, are second in their league and will go into Sunday’s showdown on the back of a 15-14 defeat at Biarritz which has only served to bolster the club’s resolve to make the final four in the Cup.
King said: “This is a massive game for us. We have targeted success in the Heineken Cup this season and we are determined to make our mark, particularly as the winners will have home advantage in the semi-finals.”
