It was good to see Saracens going through to the semi-final of the Heineken Cup yesterday. I spent nearly seven years at the club, and they were a big part of my life. It was a great win over the Ospreys, the more so coming as it did after that heavy defeat in the EDF Cup. The big difference yesterday was that Saracens stepped up in defence, which was the weak area in Cardiff two weeks ago.

Critically, yesterday the Sarries defence put huge pressure on Ospreys, with that hit by Adam Powell on Gavin Henson summing up the effort, the anticipation, and the speed with which the players were making tackles. They have perhaps the best half-back combination in Europe in Neil de Kock and Glen Jackson, who don't make the headlines as individuals but as a unit are perfectly balanced.

During my time there, Saracens were a sleeping giant. For years, people have been saying that something was going to happen for them. Perhaps this is the year. All the parts are in place, including the half-backs I've spoken about, while the pack has been one of the strongest for a few years now. There are up and coming players like Powell and Don

Barrell alongside the veterans like Kevin Sorrell and Kris Chesney, who prove that as well as buying high-profile talent, Saracens can create fine players of their own as well. Also yesterday proved that Saracens are capable of filling that hilltop stadium in Watford, which is something that the boss Nigel Wray has been dreaming of for quite some time. The club does have a soul, and when they meet Munster in the semi-final, the players will now have a chance to prove they have the pedigree. Saracens' progress this year, as well, is not just about the available talent. There is a historical reason too. Ten years ago the François Pienaar, Philippe Sella and Michael Lynagh generation made their mark by winning the English Cup; afterwards, the club went into the wilderness, with one coach following another in rapid succession.

The reason things are happening now is that the club has been settled for two or three years. The players have been good enough to go a long way, as I've said, but it all takes time to bed in. There have been plenty of mistakes made by players, coaches and management. On the other hand, so much passion has been invested by Nigel Wray over the years - and so much hard cash - that it is sweet to see some reward now.

There is a little bit of frustration for me in there as well. I would have loved to be part of this particular adventure, but old age and common sense got the better of me. What I can say from my last year at the club is that you could see the foundations being laid. We finished fourth in the Premiership, not far off second place. It was a respectable season, and the momentum continued into this term as well.

Now, however, a bigger challenge is in store, particularly when you remember that Sarries suffered when they had to travel to Wales to face the Ospreys two weeks ago. The venue will be neutral, but they will still have to face the 16th man, the Munster travelling support. My heart would love them to make the final, my head says they may have to wait another year or two.

Looking at the weekend's other results, I wasn't overwhelmed by the standard of the rugby in London Irish's win over Perpignan, and I was surprised that Gloucester didn't stand up to

Munster, who showed their colossal experience at this level by squeezing the life out of the Cherry and Whites. I had a lot of belief in Gloucester, but they simply have not been in this situation often enough, as we saw last year in the Premiership final. It will come.

As for my other former club, Toulouse were in the form of the good old days, moving the ball from deep, rapid-fire passing, and superb vision. But again, it's about experience - this was their 10th quarter-final since the inception of the Heineken Cup. London Irish will not be easy opponents, but when you look at the players Toulouse can put on the field, you have to expect a Munster v Toulouse final. Given those clubs' European pedigrees, that's a mouth-watering prospect.