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Alex Austerberry believes Saracens are back to setting the bar in women’s rugby after winning their first title in the PWR era.
The Sarries head coach masterminded a dominant 52-14 win over their London rivals Trailfinders Women at Twickenham Stoop.
Saracens had been beaten by Gloucester Hartpury in last year’s showpiece, but earned redemption with victory in front of 8,099 fans.
“When we are at the top, for slightly longer than Gloucester, you think it is going to continue,” he said.
“But you know the hard work that comes into that, and Gloucester were superb champions, two, three years in a row, to great credit.
“That has set us the bar, and I think we have taken it a bit further, and we have taken on the challenge, the gauntlet that has been laid down, which is fantastic. I am immensely proud of the girls.
“But now the target is on our back, and we have got to make sure we keep pushing it forward because that is what champions do, Gloucester have set a great example, and previously we have set a great example.
“Now it is about celebrating, being immensely proud, saying goodbye to some incredible people at the club, and making sure we create one last memory together.”
Jess Breach and the departing Marlie Packer each scored twice in a confident victory that combined the best of Saracens’ forward might and attacking flair.
Julia Omokhuale opened the scoring after Sarries had seen off intense pressure from Trailfinders in the early stages.
Packer then got back-to-back tries to open up a healthy lead for the side, which finished second in the league.
Sydney Gregson added another before the break, and any hopes of a comeback from Trailfinders were cooled when Breach and Alysha Corrigan raced over immediately after the restart.
Trailfinders did respond, through Maya Montiel and Abi Burton, either side of a Zoe Harrison score, while Breach had the final say.
For Austerberry, it was a win also full of relief after promising that his side would be back in the final and would win it next time.
He added: “The team that learns the most, the fastest, goes on to win, and we’ve got players and staff that are chomping at the bit and finding ways to improve, whether it is the evolution of the styles of play.
“I work day in day out with an incredible group of players, and I know exactly what they are capable of.
“Last year we were beaten in the final by a better team, but the bounce back this year has been fantastic.
“It is not an easy prediction, but it is really easy to believe in this group because they show you every day what they are capable of, and it is a pleasure to work with them, and I expect them to drive the standards, to drive us forward, to drive the league forward.”
