Saracens aim for top four as Mark McCall’s final season at the helm comes to a close

Quiet architect of Saracens’ modern dynasty prepares for emotional farewell as his side battle for a playoff spot in penultimate match of the season

The quietest man in the stadium will be the most brilliantly lit when the spotlight falls on him come the end of the match. Mark McCall will hope that his last home fixture in charge of Saracens will have ended with his team back in the top four, just when it matters most, with one round to play.

A win against Harlequins on Saturday in front of a sellout crowd would move Saracens above Exeter into fourth, with the Chiefs due to visit Leicester on Sunday. Saracens are 20-point favourites to beat Quins; Leicester 11-point favourites to beat Exeter. Unless both underdogs rear up to bite their hosts (an outcome the bookies rate as a one-in-50 chance), we are due a straight shootout for that fourth playoff spot on the final weekend of the regular season at Sandy Park, where Exeter will host Saracens.