Brad Barritt is relishing the newly-formed rivalry between Saracens and Glasgow Warriors as the two teams prepare for another European face-off in the Champions Cup quarter-final this weekend.  

Sarries were victorious in both feisty pool games and Barritt is aware of how hard they will have to work despite playing in front of a home crowd.

“It’s quite surreal knowing we’ll be playing them in a home quarter-final having played them twice already,” he told the club’s official website.

“We knew those were two very tough fixtures and ones we had to work very hard for.

“I think there will be some added spice; there will be some feelings carried over from the last two games but we’ve prepared well and we’re really excited about the opportunity to play at Allianz Park in a home quarter-final.

“To have a home quarter-final is testament to the work done in previous rounds but by no means gets us the victory.

Mauro Itoje has recovered from a knee injury sustained in the Six Nations to start at blindside flanker with George Kruis and Will Skelton paired up in the second row.

Meanwhile Ben Spencer will make his 150th Saracens appearance when he starts at scrum-half and will play alongside the returning Owen Farrell at fly-half.

Alex Goode has also moved back to full-back while Liam Williams switches to the wing. 

And with so many returning faces for both sides, the Sarries skipper believes that the team with the best preparation going into the game will likely have the edge.   

“Preparing to play a team for a third time requires a different outtake,” he continued.

“Other than being able to prepare in your own back yard and to have your captain’s run, once you cross those four white lines ultimately in these games it comes down to which team wants it slightly more, which team is better prepared and the team that can stick in during the hard moments of the game.

“As with every big game there’s going to be crucial turning points and momentum sways and it’s which team can capitalise on those.

He added: “I think the added spice between English and Scottish teams is always going to carry a little bit of a flavour and taste for the encounter.

“It’s something that we relish and something we’re looking forward to. With every rivalry when you play a club there’s always going to be an added spice; it’s part of the game we really enjoy and look forward to.”