Will Skelton vows not to be a Champions Cup spectator

Saracens star Skelton wants to make up for missing the 2016/17 final
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Will Skelton is dreaming of going all the way in the Heineken Champions Cup this season after being forced to watch Saracens lift the trophy from his sofa in Australia two years ago.

The second row joined Saracens on a short-term deal during the 2016/17 season, making four appearances for them in Europe.

However, by the time the club had got to the final against Clermont at Murrayfield, Skelton had returned to the Waratahs.

The 26-year-old would go on to sign permanently for Saracens that summer but before then he could only watch as his team-mates were crowned champions.

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“The game was like 3am in Sydney and it was awesome to watch,” said Skelton. “I remember having that itch and really wanting them to do well and be a part of it. I was still in the social media groups with the boys. I had another year at the Waratahs and I was excited to be back there, but at the back of mind I was thinking, ‘I really want these boys to do well’. It wasn’t meant to be last year and hopefully we can take it that next step this year.”

After going out at the quarter-final stages last season, Saracens are not taking their foot off the gas for their final pool match against Glasgow Warriors.

Another victory would secure them a home quarter-final and director of rugby Mark McCall has made just three changes from the team that won in Lyon last week.

Wing Alex Lewington comes in for the injured Sean Maitland, Ben Spencer is preferred to Richard Wigglesworth at scrum-half and captain Brad Barritt replaces Alex Lozowski at centre.

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