FAZ AND EARL: THE EXORCISTS

England stars help Sarries exorcise the demons of their Christmas nightmare against London Irish

BEN EARL and Owen Farrell combined to end London Irish’s play-off hopes and exorcise the memory of Saracens’ nightmare before Christmas.

Earl, the player England inexplicably refuse to pick, was sent off for the first time in his career as Sarries crashed to defeat at the Exiles on Christmas Eve.

Four months on neither he nor his team needed further motivation to ensure they finished the season top of the Premiership.

“A lot of us have some pretty dark memories of that game,” said Earl, outstanding in front of watching England boss Steve Borthwick.

“I certainly did, obviously the red card. A few guys wanted to right some wrongs from that performance.”

Saracens’ response was to lump more points on Irish than any team all season to ensure they will face Northampton, instead, at home in the play-offs for the right to play Sale or Leicester in the Premiership grand final.

It was some turnaround given Irish had raced into a 10- point lead inside 15 minutes.

But Earl stepped up in the carrying absence of Billy

Vunipola, and captain Farrell led by familiar example as the home side responded with 20 unanswered points.

“Owen was incredible,” said boss Mark McCall. “How he played, how he led. We are blessed with some brilliant senior players.”

Farrell (above, inset), who struggled with his goal kicking in the Six Nations, landed seven out of eight to end with 20 points. At the final whistle, he was locked in conversation with ref Adam Leal, “a good glimpse of his character” according to Earl.

“Nothing’s ever quite enough for him,” the flanker added. “He’s a bit of a tortured genius at times.”

The game turned a minute either side of half-time, with Alex Goode taking a scoring pass from Earl (above, inset) to put Sarries ahead for a first time – then Irish lock Rob Simmons was sin-binned for a high tackle on Theo Dan.

Sean Maitland went over before Dan, starting at hooker in place of the rested Jamie George, scored himself from a line out drive.

When Earl then sent a 40-metre grubber down the touchline for super-sub Eroni Mawi to bag the first of his two late tries, that was that. SARACENS – Tries: Goode, Maitland,

Dan, Mawi 2. Cons: Farrell 3. Pens: Farrell 4.

IRISH – Tries: Rogerson, Willemse. Con: Jackson. Pens: Jackson 3.