Saracens take a beating to rest stars for Quins
SARACENS conceded eight tries to a rampant Gloucester yesterday, but they will likely field a totally different side to take on Harlequins in the first of Saturday’s Premiership play-offs.
Gloucester went into the final day of the regular season with only slim hopes of sealing fourth spot and a place in the play-offs.
The Cherry and Whites more than fulfilled their side of the bargain by brushing aside Saracens’ reserves. Unfortunately for Gloucester, Northampton did not blow their chance against Newcastle. Their own home semi-final already secured, Mark McCall, Saracen’s director of rugby, made 15 changes for the visit to Kingsholm, resting their England stars. Without Owen Farrell & Co, the result was one sided.
This was the second biggest defeat in Saracens’ Premiership history. ‘We’d taken the decision to rest our XV for next week,’ McCall said. ‘We took a decision over what we felt was best for us. It’s always disappointing when you lose by that margin. We’ll see next week whether that’s paid off or not.’
Missing out on the play-offs and the weakness of the Saracens side on show here should not detract from the wonderful job George Skivington has done as Gloucester head coach.
Gloucester finished second bottom last season, so to end this campaign represents significant improvement. You get the feeling further progress is to come.
Skivington watched his side play some fine rugby and, as it has been all season, their driving maul was unstoppable. Jack Singleton grabbed the first of his two tries from such a position.
Former Saracens boss Brendan
Venter watched alongside McCall in the Kingsholm stands as the London side went to the break 21-0 down. Things only got worse in the second half.
Max Malins grabbed a consolation try for Saracens but Jordy Reid and Santiago Carreras had already crossed for Gloucester in the first half.
Singleton, Ollie Thorley, Santiago Socino, Louis Rees-Zammit and Jack Clement completed the rout.
There was further good news for Gloucester as their England wing,
Jonny May, returned from a knee injury for his first appearance since January 8.
The victory meant Gloucester sealed a Premiership double over Saracens which is no mean feat.
‘Sneaking in the play-offs would have been ideal, obviously, but in terms of what we could control I thought it was a really tight-knit performance,’ said Skivington.
‘There is a huge amount for us to work on and if we want to be a top team year after year, we’ve got to get better in a lot of areas.’