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No rustiness as Saracens run in 9 tries against Worcester

By PA
Billy Vunipola /PA

Saracens cruised to a convincing and entertaining 61-29 win over Worcester Warriors at the StoneX Stadium to cut the gap at the top of the Gallagher Premiership table to five points.

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The hosts showed no signs of rustiness after almost three weeks without a game as they crossed nine times in total.

Alex Lewington and Billy Vunipola scored two tries each and further scores from Nick Tompkins, Alex Goode, Nick Isiekwe, Ben Earl and Max Malins sealed a hugely comprehensive win.

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The visitors did score three wonderful late tries to secure a bonus point of their own as Francois Venter (two), Gareth Simpson and Ashley Beck crossed after the break, adding to Joe Batley’s try in the first half.

Saracens have 37 points from their 10 games while Warriors stay in 10th as they suffered their seventh defeat of the campaign.

It was a blistering start from the hosts and Lewington had his first when he finished in the corner.

Saracens were crushing the Worcester pack at the scrum and Vunipola touched down as he pushed the set-piece over the try line to take the lead to 12-0.

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Goode then ghosted through the Warriors’ already tiring defence for the third before Tompkins secured the bonus point with the fourth try.

Worcester were struggling for any kind of possession in the Saracens half and were continuously being forced backwards by their relentless hosts, who had their fifth try of the afternoon when second-row Isiekwe showed off his pace to dummy past Fin Smith and dive over for a popular score.

Saracens v Worcester Warriors - Gallagher Premiership - StoneX Stadium

Warriors finally got on the scoresheet after some sustained pressure in the Saracens 22 enabled Batley to crash over but Lewington then scored from the final play of the half as Alex Lozowski’s fifth successful conversion took the home side to 40 points.

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It was an encouraging start to the second period for the away side, however, as Venter bulldozed through tacklers to stretch over and score their second try.

Saracens roared back instantly as Earl profited from a mix-up under the high ball between Andrew Kitchener and Simpson.

Saracens v Worcester Warriors - Gallagher Premiership - StoneX Stadium

Vunipola added an eighth try from another successful driving maul from close range before Malins stormed through a gap to make it nine.

But then came the late show from the away side, who scored their third after a lovely flowing move ended with Venter touching down.

The bonus point was then secured with four minutes to go when Batley and Ted Hill combined to take play into the 22 before Simpson sniped around the fringes for a try.

Another play from one 22 to another then provided Smith the chance to kick to the corner where Beck was there to collect, but the Warriors’ fifth try was not enough to stop a Boxing Day defeat.

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1 Comment
S
SL 1267 days ago

Since when is 15 days almost 3 weeks?

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IkeaBoy 1 hour ago
Crusaders outlast fast starting Blues to reach another Super Rugby final

Very considered stuff, JW!


What I think is slippery is that they are essentially red carding based on ‘intent’ which was never really the case. It’s a tough ask to expect a ref to essentially physiologically profile a player, in-game. It should be a minimum at any level of rugby that a player wouldn’t deliberately be reckless or aim for a high degree of danger. Even with the guidance it’s still very subjective for refs. I’m not even sure if a full red has been dished out at test level since the new 20 min card arrived? It looks like they’ve forgotten they can still dish out a straight red.


WR are focused on sanctioning the dangerous act and dealing with it rather than working on removing the act itself. The big task is to remove the risky play rather than being consistent on carding it. It’s probably a coaching issue really and would take a while to bed in and have to work up from the age groups who are starting the game now.


Aki was a great example though. Short and stocky for a centre but he used to tackle high. He got red carded twice for Ireland but worked on it and I don’t think he’s had a problem since. Club or test level.


I agree with the ABs last couple of seasons. I don’t think they tackled any better or worse they just maybe didn’t keep up to speed with the law changes. I remember with Fozzie in the 2022 series, he didn’t even realise that hooking big Ardie in the second test would be a permanent change!


Verdict is still out on the 20 min reds but maybe it takes the next RWC to see if they are used or abused.

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