Challenge Cup record

Saracens have reached the semi-finals on three occasions, suffering narrow defeats to fellow English teams each time. In 2003 they drew 57-57 on aggregate with Bath Rugby, who progressed due to a superior try count over the two legs. They were beaten by Bath again in 2007, going down 31-30 at home, before losing 16-13 at Northampton Saints in 2009.

Last Challenge Cup campaign

Saracens’ most recent Challenge Cup season was 2009-10, when they exited at the pool stage. Like pool winners RC Toulon, they won five of their six games, but the French club and eventual finalists topped the pool by one try bonus point.

Director of rugby

Mark McCall has led Saracens to three European Cups as well as a host of domestic titles since taking over as director of rugby in 2011, following just over a season on the club’s coaching staff. The former Ireland centre previously coached his national side’s under-21s and A teams before spells at Ulster Rugby and Castres Olympique.

Key players

The formidable Saracens pack features hooker Jamie George, prop Mako Vunipola and lock Maro Itoje, all of whom have represented the British and Irish Lions, while prop Vincent Koch is a World Cup winner with South Africa and No.8 Billy Vunipola has 61 England caps. The backs are led by England fly-half Owen Farrell, who has 794 points in European club rugby, Scotland wing Sean Maitland and utility player Alex Lozowski, who won the Challenge Cup last season on loan to Montpellier Hérault Rugby.

Pool fixtures

Drawn in Pool C, Saracens host Edinburgh Rugby in their opener on December 11, before travelling to Section Paloise a week later in Round 2. They entertain London Irish on January 23, before concluding their pool stage with a trip to CA Brive in April.

We wrap up our previews of this season’s EPCR Challenge Cup sides with a look at Saracens, who will be looking to reach the final of the competition for the first time on their return to European rugby, although they have won the European Cup three times.