No bros, but Itoje’s boss

MARO ITOJE made light of the absence of the Vunipola brothers as Saracens extended their unbeaten start to the season against Lyon in the Heineken Cup.

He scored the first try (right) in a 29-10 win, a 55-metre gallop to the line, and Alex Lewington nailed the bonus point three minutes from time.

Itoje played at No.6 in the absence of Billy Vunipola and proved he is world class there or at lock. Exeter were 14-0 up at Castres, but lost 29-25 despite the French champions having Ma’ama Vaipulu sent off for a high tackle just before half-time. The Chiefs are likely to have to win all four remaining group games to progress. Vaipulu and Gloucester’s Danny Cipriani, dismissed for a high tackle in a 36-22 defeat at Munster, will face a disciplinary panel this week.