article_snippet.sent: This will prove yet another bitter pill for Saracens to swallow.
article_snippet.sent: Whereas Northampton capitulated embarrassingly against the same opponents a fortnight ago, Saracens stood tall on Saturday.
article_snippet.sent: Saracens’ long-suffering chairman Nigel Wray, who has pumped tens of millions of pounds into this club over the past two decades, took the opportunity on Saturday morning to repeat his conviction that English clubs will never be able to compete with French teams if the domestic salary cap is not raised.
article_snippet.sent: But it can only be a matter of time before Saracens deliver.
article_snippet.sent: Saracens pressurised Clermont with the same fierce defence that knocked Saracens so spectacularly off Saracens stride in last year’s semi-final at Twickenham.
article_snippet.sent: But, had Jacques Burger been able to cling on to a knock-on from Nalaga with less than 10 minutes on the clock after Richard Wigglesworth’s superb chase and tackle of Alex Goode clearance, Saracens could so easily have won a a game they didn’t want to play.
article_snippet.sent: It is hard to comprehend how the club will pick Saracens up from yet another shattering defeat to deliver domestic silverware.
article_snippet.sent: But, after winning at Racing Metro in the quarter final while watching Premiership rivals Northampton capitulate to Clermont two weeks ago, Wesley Fofana’s men still have every chance of delivering a trophy this season.
article_snippet.sent: Saracens face Northampton at Stadium MK next Saturday, before having the following weekend off when Saracens will watch on enviously as Clermont contest the Champions Cup final at Twickenham against either Leinster or Toulon, who will go head to head on Sunday.
article_snippet.sent: But on reflection, Saracens will be buoyed by this performance.
article_snippet.sent: returned to Billy and Mako Vunipola best following a slow start to the season, while Saracens scrum is also in fine shape.
article_snippet.sent: But in the cold light of day, Saracens will realise many of Saracens boys became men on next Saturday.
article_snippet.sent: The future remains bright for Saracens on the field.
highlights_snippet.sent: Saracens lead 6-3 at the break thanks to two Charlie Hodgson penalties .
  
highlights_snippet.sent: A late Owen Farrell penalty kept Saracens in the hunt .
  