Jonathan Davies aiming for repeat against Saracens

Tom Allnutt 06:10 18/04/2015
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  • France-based star: Jonathan Davies (r).

    Clermont centre Jonathan Davies has warned their European Champions Cup demolition of Northampton was not a one-off and insists Saracens can expect similar treatment in today’s semi-final.

    The two sides square up for the fourth time in less than 12 months this weekend after Saracens knocked Clermont out at the same stage last year before the teams shared a win apiece in this season’s pool stages.

    Clermont dismantled Northampton, who are currently six points clear at the top of the English Premiership, with a resounding 37-5 victory in the quarter-finals and could end English involvement in the competition with a similar display against Sarries.

    “The plan is to replicate it (the Northampton performance),” Davies said. “People have been talking about it as the complete performance, especially in the first half.

    “But I noticed during the game that as a squad we have so much quality we should expect to deliver that sort of intensity, accuracy and execution on the ball.

    “It was no surprise to me that we delivered a performance like that. It’s about making sure we replicate it in the week in training, we deliver the intensity and when we get the opportunities, because there aren’t many out there, we’re clinical.”

    Both teams have assumed the tag of Europe’s nearly-men in recent seasons, having failed to lift the trophy despite a combined seven semi-final appearances since 2011.

    With a star-studded squad, Clermont’s empty cabinet weighs particularly heavy and Davies has felt the burden of expectation in his first campaign at the club.

    “It’s my first year with Clermont and you realise the importance of winning,” Davies said. “We’re competing in both competitions this year. It’s a very proud area, Clermont, and there are expectations given the quality of the team.

    “It’s nice having that burden to deliver. In the past we haven’t done that but this year there’s an edge about us and a clarity as well. The whole squad understand we want to achieve and we’ve executed that very well, especially in Europe.”

    Clermont and Saracens have a rich recent history together in the competition.

    In 2012, Clermont outclassed Sarries in a 22-3 quarter-final triumph at Vicarage Road but Mark McCall’s men exacted revenge last year with a shock 46-6 win in the last four.

    Davies insists both sides have changed and “moved on” since that result but the Wales centre admits lessons have been learned.

    He said: “Saracens pride themselves on putting pressure on the opposition, making you make mistakes. Our big focus this week is to negate the errors in our game.”

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