We stuck with the battle as long as we could says Ward

BEN WARD had assured those who would listen that his club were proof that ring-fencing the Premiership was a bad idea. And rather than revel in what must surely be the highest point of his coaching career, he offered a measured response after the game.

“If we’re honest, we’re disappointed to concede the bonus point because in a competition that could come back to bite us,” Ealing’s director of rugby said.

Ward praised the way his team scrambled on defence and stuck to a plan, even though it was, as he said, “a very un-Ealing performance”.

“I’ve said a lot about how much respect we have for Saracens as an organisation and as a team,” Ward added. “We had to do a lot of analysis. That’s not really how we want to play our rugby. But they have won numerous European championships for a reason. We stuck in the battle for as long as we could.”

Double try-scorer Alun Walker said: “We pride ourselves on having a strong set-piece and that sometimes makes me look good. Which is great for me.

“Hopefully we can do the same job away from home.”