Steve Borthwick has barely been mentioned around the Recreation Ground this season – and that is largely down to the form of Justin Harrison.

The veteran Australian has been a revelation since joining Bath from Ulster, starting 20 of his club's 24 matches so far and proving to be much more than a stopgap replacement for the former skipper.

The 34-year-old is playing an equally important role off the pitch as he is on it, and will be leading the pack again tomorrow when Bath visit crisis-hit Saracens, the club Borthwick joined at the end of last season.

"The first thing anyone needs to do when they are hoping to achieve anything in life is recognise what they are capable of doing – and then strive to achieve it," said Harrison.

"Having achieved some things in my life, I then look to the next challenge – and that's what this period of my life is all about. I'm becoming part of a great rugby anecdote here in Bath, as I've been part of many anecdotes in the past.

"When I came here, I knew I had a series of goals and targets in place, but I would never expect to be successful or in the team. All I can be is ready for opportunities and coming here was about exposing myself to risk and an opportunity to play in a team that was playing the best rugby in the Guinness Premiership at the time.

"Now I'm here, I am comfortable with the fact I'm not just here in a playing capacity. There's also some intellectual capacity for anyone who thinks it's worth listening to.

"You can have a voice that's as loud and as long as you want, but it's only as good as who wants to listen to it – and if it makes a difference to a younger fella, then that's great.

"I don't consider that I'm the Oracle of rugby or life, but I have seen, heard and done some things that could help someone along the way. That's part of my role here."

Bath, who have a game in hand, sit 10 points above Saracens in the Guinness Premiership table ahead of tomorrow's lunchtime showdown.

And they have continued to play the most exciting attacking rugby in the Premiership this season, scoring more tries than any other side in the top-flight despite having played fewer games than all but Wasps.

"There's no doubt any team is constantly striving to be at its best and I don't consider that we have played anywhere near our best consistently in one match yet," said Harrison.

"We beat Bristol 45-8 last weekend and the result was what we desired, but the processes are more important. We worked hard on dispelling some of the beliefs that we are not able to maintain our form through a second half of a match.

"We've given away some fairly sizeable leads, where we've ended up with draws or even losses. So for us, it's about making sure we approach the second half as we do the first half.

"It takes a full 80-minute performance and that's what was pleasing last week – we played until the last minute and got the five points."

Harrison will no longer get the chance to meet up with Eddie Jones, the man who gave him 33 of his 34 Wallabies caps, tomorrow, following the Australian's departure from the club yesterday.

And Jones' exit in no way provides the only uncertainty in Watford at the moment. Saracens' new owners are getting rid of 15 first-team players and plan to tap into the South African ex-pat community by bringing in an influx of talent from South Africa to replace them.

"That kind of thing can be galvanising or divisive," said Harrison. "There's no question they are going through a tumultuous time.

"For players, having their contracts terminated will be a very unsettling time, but at the same time they are not in danger of being relegated, they've got new ownership and they have a number of players who will no doubt have interest from other clubs. For them, it will be about enjoying as best they can the remainder of the season, which makes them a very dangerous team."

Saracens: A Goode; R Haughton, K Ratuvou, B Barritt, R Penney; G Jackson, J Marshall; M Aguero, M Cairns, T Mercey, T Ryder, K Chesney, C Jack, W van Heerden (capt), B Skirving. Reps: A Walker, C Visagie, J Melck, D Seymour, M Wilson, G Ross, A Powell.

Bath: N Abendanon; J Maddock, A Crockett (capt), S Berne, M Banahan; B James, S Bemand; D Flatman, R Hawkins, D Bell, J Harrison, P Short, S Hooper, J Scaysbrook, D Browne. Reps: M Lilley, A Jarvis, A Beattie, J Fa'amatuainu, M Baxter, T Cheeseman, A Higgins.