Andy Goode believes Saracens can capitalise on Toulouse's well-documented dislike of artificial surfaces when the teams meet at StoneX Stadium on Sunday. The six-time European champions head to north London off the back of a defeat to Leicester Tigers, while Toulouse were beaten on a 4G pitch in Glasgow in Round 2.
“Toulouse don’t like playing on 4G pitches, they don’t do it at home, when they play on the few in France, they are a different team,” said the two-time Champions Cup winner, who will be part of Premier Sports' punditry team this weekend. “We saw up at Glasgow, first half with the wind and rain at their backs, they were pretty powerful, but the second half, they were non-existent. So Sarries will have to make the most of home comforts.”
Goode is expecting a big response from Saracens' star-studded line-up, including Owen Farrell, Jamie George, Maro Itoje and Ben Earl. “Nothing will sharpen the mind like playing one of the top teams in the competition,” he added. “I think the performance that Sarries put out at Leicester last week will do them a world of good.”
The former England fly-half also previewed Bath's Friday trip to Castres, backing the English champions to bounce back from their defeat in Toulon. “If they want to be considered real contenders, a true mark of a team is going to a place like Castres,” Goode said. “I think they will win.”
Goode will be part of Premier Sports' coverage of 15 live Champions Cup and Challenge Cup matches this weekend, and the broadcaster recently announced it will show five live Guinness Six Nations matches in 2026. “I’ll say what I see. You’ve got to give honest opinions and be true to yourself,” he said.
