Sarries warm up for Leinster clash with an Irish romp
SARACenS revved up for their european quarter-final with a six-try win over London Irish — but never needed to get out of second gear.
Relegated Saracens scored most of their tries from close range with Jamie George and Richard Barrington taking two each, Brad Barritt and Billy Vunipola the others.
But it is all about preparing for the showdown against Leinster in Dublin on September 19 for Saracens.
‘We’re not quite where we need to be but individuals are playing well,’ said director of rugby Mark McCall.
‘We’re building towards that of course and playing a game like this that has less meaning is always going to feel different. Leinster have won every match they have played since they lost the european final last May to us — I saw them against Munster and they were excellent.
‘ they were phenomenal again against a stacked Ulster team, too. they have got huge momentum but if we get our best team on the park we’ll give them a run for their money.
‘We don’t quite have the depth we had in the past but fingers crossed we get there healthy, then we stand a chance.’
the rolling maul was the skill Saracens fancied practising this time, and four of their six tries came from that platform.
George scored two, Barritt nicked one off him and Barrington claimed another in the second half.
the other scores were from close range, too — Billy Vunipola finishing a tap-and-go from a penalty and Barrington scoring again after strong forward-play.
Manu Vunipola kicked five conversions.
Owen Farrell and Mako Vunipola should be fit to face Wasps on Saturday.