England captain Jamie George predicts a Premiership side to 'do very well' in this year's Champions Cup and upset the odds against richer French and Irish teams
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England captain Jamie George insisted Saracens and their fellow Gallagher Premiership sides can upset Europe's big spenders and compete to win the Champions Cup. It has been four years since an English outfit last lifted the biggest trophy in northern hemisphere club rugby and the huge financial budgets and greater squad depth available to clubs in France and Ireland means the competition has been recently dominated by those countries.
![[Three-time European champions Saracens are within touching distance of the knock-outs]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/16/17/93202425-14198511-image-a-2_1734370098285.jpg)
But after helping three-time European champions Saracens to within touching distance of this season's knock-out stages, George believes a repeat is possible. 'Of course you can do it,' the hooker said. 'It's very difficult given the differential in wage expenditure – that's just facts – but at the same time it doesn't mean we're not in this competition to win it.
![[The competition has been recently dominated by French and Irish sides (pictured: Toulouse lifting the Champions Cup in May)]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/16/17/93202467-14198511-image-a-3_1734370127203.jpg)
'We've got a brilliant team and players that are able to do special things against the best. 'If it's not us, then I see an English team doing very well in this competition because English rugby is in a good spot. I'm optimistic about some of the English teams this year.'.
![[Northampton, who they meet on Sunday when the Premiership returns, have a perfect record]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/16/17/93202585-14198511-image-a-4_1734370177627.jpg)
England captain Jamie George insisted English sides can perform well in Champions Cup. Three-time European champions Saracens are within touching distance of the knock-outs. The competition has been recently dominated by French and Irish sides (pictured: Toulouse lifting the Champions Cup in May).
![[England forward Ollie Chessum has signed a new deal to stay with Leicester Tigers]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/16/17/93202637-14198511-image-a-5_1734370226724.jpg)
