Brian O'Driscoll's bold Premiership prediction for Saracens

O'Driscoll was on duty as a pundit last May when Saracens' 2023/24 title challenge ended when the Londoners lost at home to Sale on the final day of the season. That defeat cost them home advantage for the semi-finals and six days later they were sent home after a semi-final defeat at Northampton.

Apart from the season in which they were relegated due to off-field problems and the following year in the English second division, Saracens have reached the semi-finals of the Premiership in each of the last decade and a half.

After finishing ninth under Eddie Jones in 2008/09, Brendan Venter took over and guided them to third place in his only full season. McCall then took over midway through the 2010/11 season and led the club to nine consecutive semi-final appearances before suffering relegation.

Since returning from the Championship in 2021, they have once again established themselves as title contenders, reaching the semi-finals in each of the last three seasons.

O'Driscoll's bold guess that Saracens would not reach the 2024/25 semi-finals was not his only prediction for the new season. “Champions of the Premier League? Quins. Top Premier League try scorer? Joe Cokanasiga. Top Premier League points scorer? AJ MacGinty.”

“Breakthrough player of the season? Henry Pollock of the Northampton Saints. Which new signing is the most exciting? Wow. Maybe Bill Mata. What a new signing. A firework.”