Saracens fans respond to Dave Rennie's accusations about their team's alleged underhand 'tactics'

Glasgow face a very tough test this Saturday as they travel to Allianz Park to take on Saracens in the quarter-final of the Champions Cup.

The Premiership champions are one of the main contenders to lift the Champions Cup this season, and having beaten Glasgow home and away in their pool, they will surely have the upper hand at home. Therefore, Glasgow coach Dave Rennie has done all he can to give his side an edge going into their encounter.

The New Zealander has highlighted how Saracens try to con the referee into changing decisions, effectively by creating a scene after an error. Rennie has explained that this is a trait that he has seen in every game Sarries play.

However, many Saracens have come out in support of their team, claiming that this is gamesmanship, which has always, and will always be rife in the game.

Many fans think that antics like this are indicative of any successful team, and while some Glasgow fans have objected to Saracens’ attitude, a lot of fans feel this is just part of rugby. In fact, England World Cup winner Neil Back commented on Twitter saying this is a winning mentality. Back was one player who certainly knew how to push the law to the limits, but equally knew a lot about successful teams and winning mentalities, having played for both England and Leicester during their glory years.

This is what the fans are saying:
https://twitter.com/NeilBack/status/1110842539526025217
https://twitter.com/LargeRugby/status/1110833083945750529
https://twitter.com/MarianEWeadick/status/1110844308310114305
https://twitter.com/Daniel17_Twitch/status/1110678730568028160
https://twitter.com/BenBellamy365/status/1110826555872296960
https://twitter.com/tim_clappy/status/1110827998821920768
https://twitter.com/JulianGent/status/1110826367665561602

Clearly, this is not just Saracens fans that have had a pop at Rennie, as many have accused him of whinging ahead of the game. Nonetheless, just as gamesmanship is commonplace in rugby, so is coaches trying to influence a referee before a match. Press conferences are a perfect way to do this, and Rennie has wisely highlighted something that may play on referee Nigel Owens’ mind. Then again, Owens is arguably the best referee in the world, and is rarely swayed on or off the field.