Ref blows it for tricky Niki

22m dropout – and he did – I think our players are entitled to stop,” said McCall.

A try then would have given the lead to Newcastle, the darlings of last season’s Premiership when they defied the odds to reach the semifinals. But as it was the champions were able to take a 17-9 advantage into the break through tries from Jamie George and Alex Lewington, on his Saracens debut.

They had to overcome the stress of being reduced to 13 men by two yellow cards in the second half, to Nick Tompkins for leading with an elbow into a tackle by Toby Flood and Alex Goode for a professional foul. But, having seen their lead cut to a point by two Mark Wilson tries, they came through at the end.

Lewington, who had been brought off the bench after Sean Maitland dislocated a finger, went over for his second try, then Tompkins closed out the win with four minutes left.

“We were under par in most areas. But I thought we showed our experience in the second half when we had a lot to contend with,” said McCall.

They were able to fall back on their cloying defence and power up front. At its heart was man-of-the-match Will Skelton, who has taken 13kg off his vast 148kg frame after hiring his own nutritionist.

Skelton was an all-round nuisance and, with Billy Vunipola and George Kruis fit to return next week, the Saracens pack is not going to get any feebler any time soon.

They are favourites to retain the title for good reason.