ALAN GAFFNEY has called on his Saracens players to seize the day' as they aim to become the first side in the club's history to reach the Guinness Premiership final tomorrow (Saturday).

Gloucester, who finished top of the league, stand between the Men in Black and a memorable day out at Twickenham on May 12.

And director of rugby Gaffney is confident his battle-scarred troops can claim one of the greatest prizes in club rugby.

He insists the players are relaxed and focused on the task ahead, despite carrying the heavy burden of a side on the cusp of ending years of heartache at a club known for its big spending and unhappy endings.

"It's as good a time as any to get to a final," said Gaffney, before coining a well-known Latin phrase.

"It's a case of Carpe diem for the players. If we play the way we know we can play and play to our potential, anything is possible. Anything less than that won't be good enough."

Gaffney admitted he is not one to shout and yell' at his players in the dressing room on a matchday but he must have read the riot act in the wake of Saturday's defeat at Worcester.

The Men in Black were outclassed and outmuscled as Worcester condemned them to their third defeat in four matches, although Gaffney was quick to point out his side had still achieved one of their final mandates of the campaign.

"We've lost three out of our last four and I suppose some people will say that is a slow finish," added the Aussie. "However, we lost two of those three to a missed conversion in each (against Wasps and Bath), although I don't blame Jacko (Glen Jackson).

"While we didn't play well on Saturday, I have to congratulate the players on what they've achieved this season. We knew we had to win six of our last nine games and we've done that with some bonus points."

The Aussie admitted he was relieved' when told Leicester had extended their lead against Wasps as he watched his own side slip further behind at Sixways, and said he was happy to face Gloucester rather than the peak form' Tigers in the semi-final.

"Either one was going to be difficult," he said.

"I know many people won't expect us to beat Gloucester but the pressure is now off us to a good extent."

Gaffney, who thinks his side have "over-acheived" this season, was this week named as one of the front-runners for Director of Rugby of the Season in the Guinness Premiership awards. Leicester's Pat Howard, Gloucester's Dean Ryan and Bristol coach Richard Hill make up the shortlist, meaning the bosses of the top four clubs are all named.

So, in a week which has seen Gaffney, Glen Jackson and Richard Haughton nominated for gongs at the Premiership Awards, Jackson scooping the Professional Rugby Players Association Players' Player of the Year award on Wednesday night and no less than eight Sarries players called up to represent their country, the feel-good factor heading into tomorrow's crucial clash should be in overdrive.

Gaffney has shuffled his forward pack for the trip to Kingsholm with Nick Lloyd, Shane Byrne and Paul Gustard all returning to the starting line-up. Glen Jackson continues at fly half and the only other change in the backs sees Dan Scarbrough return to start on the wing.

Kris Chesney and Rodd Penney, who both started at Worecester, drop to the replacements bench where Matt Cairns and Cencus Johnston are also named.

Saracens: Castaignede, Scarbrough, Sorrell, Farrell, Ratuvou, Jackson, de Kock; Lloyd, Byrne, Visagie, Fullarton, Raiwalui, Gustard, Hill, Skirving. Replacements: Cairns, C Johnston, Chesney, Seymour, Rauluni, Powell, Penney.