Gaffney hopes Saracens can shock Biarritz

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The hosts boast a strong group of French stars including Serge Betsen, Imanol Harinordoquy, Damien Traille and Dimitri Yachvili, and have added Springbok wing Ashwin Willemse to their squad for Saturday's Heineken Cup clash against Sarries.

After years of being England's great under achievers, Sarries have earned the right to take part in the world's top club tournament and go into their Biarritz test having narrowly defeated Glasgow last weekend to make it seven wins from nine matches this season.

But Gaffney knows his key men like Andy Farrell, Richard Hill and Glen Jackson face a huge task. The club's director of rugby said: "When you look at the strength of the major French teams like Biarritz, then it is quite frightening. But you have to view it as a fantastic challenge and that's the attitude I want the players to take into the game.

"We have gone well this season but our defensive work against Glasgow was disappointing and you have to play your rugby on the front foot in France or else it can be a real problem. It comes down to having the right mindset."