Rampant Saracens fire Euro warning to Leinster
SARACENS are hitting an ominous vein of form ahead of their European Champions Cup final meeting with Leinster on May 11 as Mark McCall’s men cruised to another dominant victory at the Ricoh Arena inside a week.
Fresh from securing a place in the European finale at St James’ Park with a 32-16 victory over Munster, Saracens returned to Coventry and breezed to a 31-14 win over error-strewn Wasps yesterday.
Despite losing both Mako Vunipola and Michael Rhodes before the game, the English giants were irresistible in the first half, scoring three tries.
Owen Farrell’s three penalties opened up a 28-7 lead at the interval.
An encouraging start from Wasps was undone in the sixth minute when Joe Simpson’s pass was telegraphed by his opposite number, Ben Spencer, who raced home for a 50-metre interception try. Farrell converted and added a 15th minute penalty.
More was to follow for Saracens as Welsh sensation Liam Williams benefited from Alex Goode’s break, burning the outside shoulder of Elliot Daly, before feeding the Welsh flier for a 21st-minute try.
Wasps briefly sparked into life when Simpson charged down Spencer’s box kick and lock Kearnan Myall was on hand to scoop up loose ball, assisting Lima Sopoaga for his first Wasps try which the Kiwi duly converted.
Saracens’ lead had shrunk to eight but it would leap to a 21-point margin by the end of the half.
Two Farrell penalties sandwiched Australian lock Will Skelton’s 40-metre stride to the line after more good work from Spencer, and some suspect Wasps defence, in the 33rd minute.
It was a case of job done for Saracens entering the second half as they rolled substitutes on to the pitch protecting many of their main assets with bigger challenges ahead on their minds.
Farrell’s fourth penalty broke the second-half deadlock with 20 minutes remaining before Wasps No8 Nathan Hughes crossed for a late consolation try.