sport news Mean machine Ben Earl has fuelled Saracens' resurgence to brink of a ... trends now
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To witness Saracens demolish Gloucester in their Challenge Cup quarter-final eight days ago was to watch a team back to their imperious best.
That description would also be a fine way to sum up Ben Earl’s season so far. The 24-year-old has been at the heart of Mark McCall’s side as they pursue a Premiership and European double.
As the campaign approaches the business end, it is hard to escape the feeling that Saracens have returned to the heights which saw them sweep away all opposition in England and on the Continent. It spells real trouble for their rivals.
Back-row forward Ben Earl has been at the heart of Saracen's resurgence this season
Scorned by fans of opposition teams for the salary-cap breach which saw Saracens rightly receive a heavy punishment, a season in the Championship was a chance for them to reassess.
Earl was one of those forced to leave StoneX Stadium and he excelled on loan at Bristol, winning the 2020 Challenge Cup. Toulon faced Bristol in that final and now it is only the Cote d’Azur giants who stand between Saracens and another showpiece.
‘The club went through a tough time playing in the Championship and there was definitely a sense of guilt on my behalf for leaving during that,’ Earl told Sportsmail.
‘I’m very thankful for the opportunity to come back and hopefully prove why we are still one of the best teams in the land.
‘This club means everything to me. Look at what they’ve done for me. It is my extended family, having left home at 18. There are not many places where you can go to work with your best friends and your extended family. There is