Ruthless Saracens respond in style after Euro exit
SARACENS supremo Mark McCall saluted his “exceptional” side after they crushed hapless Northampton with a scintillating attacking display.
In slaughtering Saints for the fourth time this season – the aggregate score is 237-64 – Saracens proved that last week’s Champions Cup loss at Leinster will have no lasting effect on their bid to reclaim the Premiership title from Exeter.
Nine tries, nine separate scorers – this was ruthless destruction on a grand scale by Sarries that consolidates second place and should worry their rivals.
McCall said: “To win the second half 48-0 and play some of the rugby we did was exceptional.
“It says a lot about the mental toughness of the group to overcome a six-day turnaround. It was important to get five points with the league the way it is, it’s a really pleasing result.”
Saracens began impressively with Maro Itoje at his disruptive best and carrying hard along with Nick Isiekwe. However, Saints blew a glorious scoring chance when, following Rob Horne’s penetrating run, Teimana Harrison shelled Stephen Myler’s pass.
Tom Collins made ground as Saints came again but Juan Figallo’s turnover led to Saracens opening their account, the ball whizzing through the hands of Owen Farrell, Alex Lozowski and Liam Williams to Sean Maitland, who put the supporting Lozowski in.
Farrell and Myler traded penalties before Northampton forced a scrum penalty and, after Myler kicked to the corner, Api Ratuniyarawa collected the throw and Reece Marshall peeled off to score, with Myler converting to level at 10-10.
Myler booted Saints in front after Saracens failed to release, but the visitors’ response was immediate when Schalk Brits burrowed over from a lineout drive after more fine interplay between Lozowski and Williams had forced the penalty.
An entertaining first half ended with Saracens 15-13 ahead and they soon extended their advantage when Lozowski and Brits went close, Northampton conceded a penalty and from the lineout Ben Spencer drove through Reinach for a fine score.
Sensing a chance to kill the game Saracens piled forward, forcing three successive penalties from which Farrell found the corner. Another accurate dart from Brits located Isiekwe and the indefatigable Mako Vunipola secured the try-bonus.
Northampton were in heavy retreat as Farrell added a penalty and then set up a try for Williams with a beautifully disguised reverse chip to the posts.
Saints’ brittle confidence was now fully exposed as Lozowski set sail from inside his own 22 before releasing Chris Wyles. Ahsee Tuala did well to chase him down five metres short but momentum enabled the American to stretch out and score.
Maitland added try No.7 after a break by Williams, and there was no respite as Jackson Wray helped himself to a try from another close-range lineout before Nathan Earle completed the rout.