Giant Skelton shows he can be real deal for Saracens

AUSSIE powerhouse Will Skelton led an impressive pack performance as Premiership champions Saracens notched a convincing four-try victory.

Looking fitter than he has for some time, the 6ft 8ins ex-Wallaby Skelton proved too hot to handle for the Ospreys, who defended gamely and showed glimpses of their attacking potential, but were ultimately undone by the sheer physicality of the English team.

Saracens forwards guru Ian Peel said: “Will’s worked really hard off the field as well as on it and he’s in great shape. We think he can be a world-class second row and he’s starting to show what he’s about. It’s up to him to carry on working as hard.”

Saracens opened the scoring on ten minutes when Alex Lozowski floated through a gap created by Skelton. However, staunch defending and a couple of fine goalline turnovers from the Ospreys held the home side at bay for the next 15 minutes.

The dam eventually burst, though, and after Nick Isiekwe had collected a close-range lineout, on came the power as Richard Barrington crashed over.

Ben Spencer converted both tries before Ospreys hit back when George North made 40 metres before being hauled down by Max Malins, but managed to offload for Sam Cross to a race over, with Sam Davies converting to halve the deficit.

Saracens restored their 14-point advantage on the stroke of half-time when Skelton capitalised on Ospreys indecision at the base of a ruck to pick up and stroll over, Spencer adding his third conversion for a 21-7 lead.

Ospreys came out firing and Scott Otten’s try was converted by Luke Price. Spencer replied with a penalty for Saracens before lovely interplay between Skelton, Chris Tolofua and Sione Vailanu almost paved the way for a fourth try.

With Vincent Koch impressing and flanker Michael Rhodes showing why England boss Eddie Jones rates him highly, there were other notable showings from fly-half Malins and No.7 Ben Earl – both youngsters with points to prove.

Saracens came on strongly in the closing stages and finally wrapped up victory on 73 minutes when Maro Itoje soared for a lineout and Tolofua dotted down, with Lozowski converting to complete a satisfactory night’s work.

Ospreys were far from downhearted, with head coach Allen Clarke declaring: “It was a proper game of rugby and we got everything we wanted. Our physicality in defence set a standard and it sets us up nicely for Edinburgh this week.”