Saracens' No.8 Billy Vunipola said the heartbreak of losing the 2014 European Cup final was the driving force behind their 2016 Champions Cup triumph in Lyon.
Vunipola was left distraught by their defeat to Toulon in the 2014 final but he was one of Saracens' integral players in the charge to their 21-9 win over Racing 92 on Saturday. The win means Saracens have completed the first half of a potential domestic double as they are in the Aviva Premiership playoffs but they have vowed to enjoy the moment as lifted their first European title.
"It's awesome, we're in that club now [of European winners]," Vunipola said on Sky Sports. "We managed to pull it off and win the trophy. It's a massive honour and I'm thankful we did it with wonderful people.
"It was such an arm wrestle and credit also to Faz [Owen Farrell] for holding his nerve.
"We've got awesome people and the experience [of 2014] brought us through today.
" It [The Toulon loss] became a massive motivation point for us. We didn't want to lose and we managed to hold our nerve."
Farrell finished the match with 21 points from the tee in a faultless kicking performance and said the win was "a great moment for the club".
"To be involved a competition like this, to play against Racing and to come out with the trophy is brilliant," Farrell said. "I'm glad I could put the points over for the lads who put us in positions to get them. We didn't panic and we've been brilliant all week."
Saracens lock Maro Itoje added: "It was pretty good and it's truly special to be a part of this time. Every time we play we strive to get better and be part of moments like this. It certainly didn't go 100 per cent our way today, we had a plan and we stuck to it."
Vunipola: Heartbreak spurred Sarries to euro glory
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