SARRIES ON SONG
Owen makes it tough going for Flood’s Toulouse on emotional day SARACENS 32 TOULOUSE 7
THERE was more punch than panache on show at Allianz Park as Saracens demonstrated why they are so often the chief English flag-bearer among Europe’s elite.
While their handsome victory over four-time champions Toulouse was not the most aesthetically pleasing, it was a textbook demonstration of intensity, defence and control.
Saracens have won all four of their opening domestic games — conceding fewer than 10 points per game — and they appear to be prime contenders to reach a fourth successive Champions Cup semi-final.
Their one regret last night was missing out on the four-try bonus point, having been three tries up after 42 minutes — with Owen Farrell contributing 22 points.
It was a family double for the No 10, whose uncle Sean O’Loughlin captained England’s rugby league side to victory over New Zealand just hours earlier.
Following Friday night’s attacks in Paris, Toulouse were the only French team in Champions Cup action. Oyonnax, Racing Metro, Bordeaux, Clermont and Toulon all had their round-one fixtures cancelled.
Both sides observed a minute’s silence at Allianz Park, with former England No 10 Toby Flood – playing at inside centre for Toulouse – singing the French national anthem before kick-off.
Moments later, Flood’s team-mates were pinned deep in their own half. Saracens chased hard from the kickoff, forcing an early knock-on by Gael Fickou and pushing Toulouse back on to their own line. The pressure soon turned to points, with Farrell kicking his side ahead.
Farrell, Richard Wigglesworth and Alex Goode used the boot to find pockets of space behind the visitors’ backline and Will Fraser’s dogged work at the breakdown allowed his No 10 to double the lead.
Fraser has been tipped as an England contender under the next regime and the Saracens No 7 tested himself against one of the finest in Thierry Dusautoir. The 26-year-old was at the heart of the positive defensive effort, which constantly forced Toulouse on to the back foot.
In Luke McAlister and Flood, the Top 14 side deployed an experienced northern-southern hemisphere combination at fly-half and inside centre, but there was little first-half opportunity for the five-eighth pairing to demonstrate their skills.
It took a quarter of an hour for Saracens to score their first try as their midfield moved into the ascendency. Mako Vunipola threw a deft inside pass and, two phases later, the England prop was on hand to power his way over the line.
The French were on the receiving end of a masterclass in control and intensity, with Maro Itoje and Michael Rhodes both adding their niggle. Irish referee George Clancy continued to award Farrell kicks at goal, with the England fly-half nudging his side 19-0 ahead.
Things did not get any easier when Census Johnston was shown a yellow card at the scrum after 28 minutes.
With a healthy lead, Saracens began to think about the bonus point and, on 37 minutes, Chris Wyles dived over in the left-hand corner for the second try to round off the half.
The four-time European champions weathered the post-Guy Noves transition in domestic competition, winning six from eight, after their coach of 22 years took the France job.
But Saracens’ Euro siege recommenced immediately after the break – with Farrell adding a third try after an interception by Brad Barritt.
Saracens were more than comfortable, but replacement hooker Christopher Tolofua wriggled over when Toulouse launched just their second significant attack after 50 minutes.
Saracens’ scrummaging platform creaked following the withdrawal of Jamie George and Billy Vunipola. The wet conditions did not help and – in a group that also includes Ulster and Oyonnax – the potentially pivotal bonus point went begging.