Effective would probably be one of the most used words with regards to Saracens.

As true as the description may be it isn’t always used in the most complimentary of manners. 

There are always questions raised over how far this efficiency and relentless pressure can take them in a competition.

So far this approach hasn’t treated Sarries too badly, sitting top of the Aviva Premiership and just having secured their place in the Heineken Cup semi-finals and a clash against Toulon at Twickenham.

Many called for Saracens to expand their somewhat limited game plan and score more tries - something they have improved on - yet still questions remain as to whether or not they can compete at the very highest of level with their current style.

The memory of last years’ quarter-final against Clermont Auvergne still remains, a game in which the Men in Black were blown away in every single area.

It would seem that the harsh lessons of that day at Vicarage Road have been learnt but only time will tell.

Calling Saracens effective is not necessarily a negative thing, it means they do what they well to a consistent and high standard.

However, what can be quite annoying is when other teams get praised for carrying out a game plan very similar to Sarries and it being described as doing what they have to do to win.

When it comes down to the business end of a competition, the flashy passes, the line breaks, the amount of tries, don’t matter as long as the number next to your team’s name is higher than the one next to the opposition’s.

It is knock out stages for a reason - winning is all that matters, putting yourself that one step closer to the silverware, not scoring six tries all capable of winning a try of the season award but conceding more.

Nobody knows how far Saracens will go in this years’ competition.

They will just approach it one game at a time, like they always do no doubt.

But one thing that can be counted upon is that if Sarries do manage to become champions either of Europe or England, the questions of their effectiveness will be far from the forefront of everybody's minds.