WITH Mako Vunipola wielding the cudgel up front and Owen Farrell slipping the dagger in when Northampton had been battered, this try beating might yet be enough to see Saracens defend their European title.
The bonus point they had secured in a first half blitz ensured Saracens second place in their group on 18 points, behind Clermont. However, they face a fraught weekend waiting on other results because only the three best second placed teams progress to the quarter-finals.
If they do squeeze through the back door, on this evidence no-one will be too keen to host them because after the stuttering draw against the Ospreys last weekend this was more like the formidable Saracens side that have been back-to-back champions in the last two years.
By the end of this encounter they had swamped a Northampton side that flattered to deceive with a brisk start that saw a darting Cobus Reinach try from a spill by Alex Goode, converted by Harry Mallinder, give them a 7-0 lead.
Denne historien er fra January 21, 2018-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Denne historien er fra January 21, 2018-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Morris hat-trick lifts Steelmen
HOOKER Ieuan Morris came off the bench to settle matters for Ebbw Vale at Carmarthen Quins with his stunning second half hat-trick completing a 39-11 victory in Super Rygbi Cymru.
Joe keen to follow in family footsteps
JOE Ford is leading the charge to take Doncaster Knights to the promised land but says they have a long way to go before that becomes reality.
Robson keen to make it to the top with Coventry
COVENTRY ended the first five-match block of fixtures as the Championship’s only unbeaten side and full-back Charlie Robson has his sights set on promotion, and eventually playing for England.
Hancox joins the 200 club
AFTER 10 years of donning the red, black and yellow shirt for Bournemouth, skipper Grant Hancox made his 200th appearance this month after their Regional 2 South Central clash against Winchester.
Bear keen to be a big hit Down Under
FORMER Cornish Pirates back row Bear Williams has flourished in making the difficult transition from rugby union to league and has plans to play in Australia’s NRL. `
To play in two World Cups was a dream
RUGBY started quite late for me.
Call time on this pantomime ploy
THIS 60-second shot clock twaddle. If we must continue to plough down this blind alley it needs to apply from the moment the referee awards the penalty. If the authorities are going to put some stick about at least do it properly and with conviction.
Coetzee's pulling his weight again
WHETHER he starts or comes off the bench, Jaco Coetzee is just happy to be contributing fully to Bath’s revival after an injury-hit start to his career in blue, black and white.
Murray's on a wing - and a prayer ...
BLAIR Murray began the week ‘in a state of shock’ at having gone from nowhere on one side of the world to the starting grid for the autumn Tests on the other.
We need to kick on after winning at last
Paul Rees talks to Ethan Grayson who heard from two rugby legends after he helped Newcastle end their 25-match losing run
