Saracens Academy Coach Adam Powell believes his players can follow in the footsteps of Lions when they take to the field in the Premiership Rugby Cup final.  

It’s a competition that many Saracens stars cut their teeth in as youngsters before making the step up to, some to the very highest level of international competition.

And Powell believes that, with Northampton Saints lying in wait on home soil on Sunday, it’s a prime opportunity for some of the players to develop that Saracens winning mentality.

“These guys have earned the right to play in a final and we can’t wait to see them on the weekend,” he told Saracens’ website.

“All our top players who have come through and are now British & Irish Lions and England players all used this as their stepping stone; it’s part of their progress and that hasn’t changed for us.

“It’s important for the young players to lead their environment when they’re together and this year, they’ve done very well. They’ve really gelled as a unit and there’s been a great feeling all the way through the tournament.”

Victory this weekend would mark a near-perfect run to the title for Saracens, who are yet to lose a game in the newly re-formatted competition.

Three wins and a draw in their pool stage saw them qualify for the semi-finals as the best runner-up before a confident 38-22 win at Worcester Warriors in the last four earned them a shot at glory.

But with the final to be played at the home ground of their opponents ,Franklin’s Gardens, the reigning Gallagher Premiership Rugby champions will have to do things the hard way if they are to bring home the bacon – another important lesson to learn, according to Powell.  

“If you want to play for the Saracens first team, you have to accept it doesn’t matter where you play, you have to turn up and put in the same level of performance and whatever result comes off the back of that comes,” he continued.

“There will be a number from the academy in the forwards and backs on Sunday. It’s good exposure for the lads and I’m really looking forward to seeing them play.”