Eddie Jones, the new Saracens director of rugby, is convinced he can end the big-spending club's 10 years of underachievement.

In 1998, a star-studded Saracens team won the English Tetley Bitter Cup and should have wrapped up a league as well, only to fall at the final hurdle. And that has been the story all too often for a club that has spent around £15million looking for the right combination of players and coaches - and come up short.

Jones knows exactly what is expected. The former Wallaby head coach, who helped South Africa win the 2007 World Cup, said: "The Sarries squad have talent. What they probably lack is that ability to be consistent and there was a disappointing fall away in the Premiership last season.

"People have tried to rationalise that by saying you can't compete in all competitions. But if you want to be a top club that's exactly what you have to deal with.

"We want to be a top club and getting a stronger squad and real consistency are the keys to achieving that aim.

"We want to win silverware and one of the reasons I came here was because the expectation was so high. I'm positive we are going to do it but I am not sure if it will be this year, next year or the one after that. But we are putting everything in place."

The recruitment has included convincing England captain Steve Borthwick to leave Bath, Wikus van Heerden to move from South Africa and Michael Owen, who led Wales to Grand Slam glory, to relaunch his career over the English border.

Having been inches away from the Heineken Cup Final last season, Sarries also missed out on the top European competition this time because of their Premiership inadequacies.

They start in the Guinness Premiership against Harlequins at Twickenham tomorrow with the added problem of dealing with the experimental law variations which have seen Jones select All Blacks lock Chris Jack on the flank.

"Everyone likes to say that rugby is a simple game when it's actually quite complicated with set pieces, contests for the ball and continuity," said Jones.

"I have no idea at all how the new laws will pan out and the game could go various ways. There could be a lot more kicking, the maul could end up going out of the game and if referees are really diligent at the tackle/ruck area, it's going to create a situation where sides will be more keen to play in the opposition half than their own.

"In the Tri-nations, we saw South Africa start by running everything and not getting the tries and then they finish up by kicking it all day and scoring 50 points. There are a few contradictions popping up."

THE BIG KICK-OFF

Saturday:
London Irish v Wasps 2.30pm
Saracens v Harlequins 5pm

Sunday:
Bristol v Bath 3pm
Gloucester v Leicester 4pm
Newcastle v Sale 3pm
Northampton v Worcester 1.30pm