Richard Wigglesworth paid tribute to the drive Mark McCall instils in his Saracens team after the Northern Irishman was named Gallagher Premiership director of rugby of the season.

On Wednesday night McCall was crowned for his efforts in leading Saracens to second in the table, as well as a third European title in four years and a runner-up spot in the Premiership Rugby Cup.

They will now look to move one step closer to retaining their Premiership title when they host Gloucester in the semi-final on Saturday, and veteran scrum-half Wigglesworth explained the constant improvement that McCall inspires.

“There’s always something new at Saracens,” Wigglesworth said. “I wouldn’t say there’s been anything big but there’s little add-ons all the time and that’s what defines the group.

“The group wants to get better all the time so it’s that relentless drive of players, Mark (McCall) and the other coaches too improve.

“At times we’ve been unbelievably frustrated this year because we felt we should be doing better, but then that feeling with what we did in the Champions Cup final, producing our best performance in a final against the best team we’ve played in a final.

“All that goes into making it, at the time you don’t feel where you’re getting with it but that’s the sort of personalities in the group, that’s how we’re built and it’s brilliant to be part of.”

Despite losing to Worcester Warriors in their final game of the Premiership season, Saracens have enjoyed a fine regular season campaign, finishing second only to Exeter Chiefs.

They will now take on Gloucester, back in the semi-final for the first time since 2011, with the Cherry & Whites having beaten Sarries at Kingsholm back in February.

That will see England skipper Owen Farrell line up against Premiership player of the season Danny Cipriani, another award winner on Wednesday night.