Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Sarrie sight for Blues
GREAT AND THE GOODE SHINE FOR TROUBLED HOLDERS AS LEINSTER BOW OUT OF EUROPE
SARRIES’ Last Dance had just enough juice to kill off Leinster’s double dream at the Aviva Stadium.
A Champions Cup massacre looked on by half-time yesterday as Leinster had been brutally hacked to pieces by their European overlords of last year.
But with 15 minutes of this quarter-final remaining, the Blues looked on to replace the 2011 Heineken Cup final victory as their greatest-ever comeback when Leinster were down 22-6 to Northampton – only to score 27 unanswered points to win.
Yesterday they even trailed by three points more at the break – yet Jordan Larmour’s try and Johnny Sexton’s conversion made it a five-point game with 18 minutes remaining.
But ultimately it wasn’t to be for Leo Cullen’s men.
Sexton, who had done so much to drag his team back into it with an inspired second half display, limped off in the 66th minute.
Moments later, a promising lineout maul for the Blues was dismantled by Michael Rhodes and Jackson Wray – and with it went the Blues’ last chance. Leinster’s first-half display had cost them dearly and they fell to the last team to beat them, all the way back on May 11, 2019.
The Blues’ 25 straight wins since that loss in Newcastle – culminating in the PRO14 final win over Ulster – counted for nothing against a Saracens outfit determined not to give up their European crown.
Not after a nightmare year of relegation from the Premiership following a salary cap breach.
Sarries knew that defeat would finish them in Europe for at least two years. Consequently they played with a blistering passion, especially in the first 40.
They didn’t miss the suspended Owen Farrell, but Tadhg Furlong was certainly missed by Leinster who struggled badly in giving up seven scrum penalties.
Sarries head coach Mark Mc
Call said before kick-off that the key was to accumulate as many ‘little wins’ as possible against Leinster. That’s exactly what his players managed to pull off in the first half.
Saracens were gifted the opening three points after Leinster botched Alex Goode’s kick-off and Andrew Porter failed to roll away at a ruck.
Sexton replied in kind thanks to Porter making immedi at e breakdown amends, but Sexton then conceded a penalty and Goode converted.
Another present saw Leinster fall fur th er b ehind . Luke McGrath’s looped pass to Robbie Henshaw saw the centre cough up a penalty for Goode again.
Worse for Leinster, a promising attack ended with Maro Itoje picking off a McGrath pass.
Insult to injury, Sarries then earned a scrum penalty just inside their own half and, wind assisted, Elliot Daly found the sweet spot to make it 12-3.
When Sexton kicked the restart straight into touch, almost inevitably another scrum penalty win followed and Daly repeated the trick. Leinster should have hit back near half-time after a series of 5m lineouts, however they failed to capitalise.
And, three minutes from halftime, Sarries struck as Duncan Taylor off-loaded to Goode for the opening try. The makeshift No.10 made it a 17-point lead.
Leinster were fired up on their return but initially it was the ever-excellent Itoje raising his fist in celebration, having won a key breakdown turnover.
Sexton didn’t give up and a storming run down the right lit the blue touch paper. This time the Leinster attack stuck as Porter, aided by James Ryan, powered over and Sexton added the extras.
With half an hour remaining, Leinster’s next offensive was rebuffed but the Blues did find a way through again. Sexton’s early pass took out four defenders, allowing Larmour to steam in. The conversion made it 2217, but Sexton was gone soon after and Sarries rallied.
Having failed to put the game beyond Leinster with a 74th minute penalty, Goode did so with just 15 seconds left. LEINSTER: Tries: Porter, Larmour; Pens: Sexton; Con: Sexton 2 SARACENS: Try: Goode; Pens: Goode 4, Daly 2; Con: Goode
Saracens played with a blistering passion, especially in the first half