Will Fraser: We can double up just like Leicester

Will Fraser says Saracens are determined to make their critics eat humble pie by becoming first side since Leicester in 2002 to clinch back-to-back ‘doubles.’
England‘s best side are assured of a place in history after becoming only the third Premiership team to triumph at home and abroad, but the Men in Black continue to attract the ire of opposing fans and media over their unashamedly pragmatic style.
Fraser, who raised £10,000 for Great Ormond Street Hospital by having his beard shaved after the Premiership final, told The Rugby Paper: “We read the odd article and feel a bit miffed, but we don’t let anything outside the club affect us.
“I have no idea where this criticism stems from but people can say what they want because we know how hard we’ve had to work for what we’ve achieved. And we’ll work harder next season to try and stay there.
“To do what only Leicester and Wasps have done previously in doing the double is massive for us. There’s a reason why it hadn’t been done since 2004, because it’s so hard to do. To be part of this group of players is amazing.
“Wasps, Leicester and guys like Martin Johnson and Lawrence Dallaglio are legends, so for Saracens to be up with them is surreal. It’s massive to be in that company and it won’t  sink in properly until after I’ve finished playing.”
Saracens will have giant targets on their backs next season, but Fraser adds: “We’ve had targets on our backs for the last few years so not much changes, but going into next season we’ve proved we’re not one-hit wonders in the Premiership.
“Going back-to-back and doing it for a third time shows what we’re about and Europe has been another huge goal for us. To have done it once, you don’t want that to be the end of it so it’s about maintaining standards and going again.
“We want to try and get a period like Leicester and Wasps did in their heyday by dominating English and European rugby for a good few years. Obviously that’s easier said than done because the league is incredibly strong, but that’s the plan.”
Fraser’s heartening fight-back from a string of career-threatening injuries again brought him under the spotlight for England selection. But operations on both hips mean he will spend the summer at home before trying again next season.
He explained: “My left hip’s getting done this week and then the right one after that, but I should be ready to go by late September.
“This has been one of my best years in terms of form and minutes on the pitch and I’ve been lucky to play in some big games. If I can stay fit, the overall ambition is to play for England.
“The amount of players in our two squads this summer is brilliant and it makes everyone at Saracens better.
“If Eddie Jones has a look at me, that’s all well and good because I’m a hugely ambitious guy.”
NEALE HARVEY