Owen Farrell returns as Saracens put big score on Doncaster Knights
Owen Farrell returned to action for Saracens in their crushing 50-15 win at Greene King IPA Championship title rivals Doncaster Knights.
England captain Farrell, making his first start for Saracens since they were relegated to the second tier, helped orchestrate an eight-try rout at Castle Park.
The fly-half missed Saracens’ shock opening-day defeat at Cornish Pirates last month and their following three bonus-point wins.
His return – after concussion sustained in the Guinness Six Nations and a calf strain – coincided with another convincing display from Saracens, who had all six of their England stars back in the starting XV.
They fell behind to Doncaster fly-half Sam Olver’s early 40-yard penalty but responded through wing Alex Lewington’s 13th-minute try in the corner and never looked back.
Farrell helped extend Saracens’ lead to 10-3 eight minutes later when his slide-rule grubber kick was collected by Sean Maitland and the Scotland wing burst over.
Saracens full-back Elliott Obatoyinbo was held up over the line after he had cut inside at the end of another incisive move.
But Maro Itoje muscled his way over to touch down and flanker Michael Rhodes followed up to score after the visitors had spun the ball one way and then the other for a bonus-point try out wide.
Farrell successfully converted Rhodes’ effort, having missed his first three attempts, to put Saracens 22-3 up at the interval.
'I don’t know what the ins and outs were in terms of politics & money… I am pretty gutted. No one has really spoken to me or the other guys who missed out about the reasons' @Seanmaitland14 is upset over how the Six Nations ended, writes @JLyall93 👨💻 https://t.co/rMTW5Q6hPj
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) April 18, 2021
Saracens wasted little time extending their lead at the start of the second period, with scrum-half Aled Davies twice darting over.
Davies’ first came after Obatoyinbo had collected a long kick to set up another sweeping counter and the second followed Elliot Daly’s superb line-breaking run.
Farrell converted both to put Saracens 36-3 ahead before being replaced by Manu Vunipola and with a fourth straight bonus-point win in the bag, Davies, Itoje and Daly were withdrawn soon after.
Tom Woolstencroft dived over from close range for Saracens’ seventh try, converted by Vunipola, just after the hour.
Doncaster hit back as Saracens eased off the gas. Jack Davies and wing Jack Spittle both went over for converted tries, which were just reward for their side’s physical commitment to the encounter.
Another Saracens replacement, Tom Whiteley, won his kick and chase in the closing moments for the game’s final try, which Vunipola converted.
Comments on RugbyPass
South Africa rarely play Ireland and France on these tours. Mostly, England, Scotland and Wales. I wonder why
1 Go to commentsIt was a let’s-see-what-you're-made-of type of a game. The Bulls do look good when the opposition allows them to, but Munster shut them down, and they could not find a way through. Jake should be very worried about their chances in the competition.
2 Go to commentsHats off to Fabian for a very impressive journey to date. Is it as ‘uniquely unlikely’ as Rugby Pass suggests, given Anton Segner’s journey at the Blues?
1 Go to commentsSad that this was not confirmed. When administrators talk about expanding the game they evidently don’t include pathways to the top tier of rugby for teams outside of the old boys club. Rugby deserves better, and certainly Georgia does.
1 Go to commentsLions might take him on if they move on Van Rooyen but I doubt he will want to go back, might consider it a step backwards for himself. Sharks would take him on but if Plumtree goes on to win the challenge cup they will keep him on. Also sharks showing some promising signs recently. Stormers and Bulls are stable and Springboks are already filled up. Quality coach though, interesting to see where he ends up
1 Go to commentsAnd the person responsible for creating a culture of accountability is?
2 Go to commentsMore useless words from Ben Smith -Please get another team to write about. SA really dont need your input, it suck anyway.
264 Go to commentsThis disgraceful episode must result in management and coach team sackings. A new manager with worse results than previous and the coaching staff need to coached. Awful massacre led by donkeys.
1 Go to commentsInteresting article with one glaring mistake. This sentence: “And between the top four nations right now, Ireland, France, South Africa, and New Zealand…” should read: And between the top four nations right now, South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand and France…”. Get it right wistful thinkers, its not that hard.
23 Go to commentsHow did Penny get the gig anyway?
2 Go to commentsNice write up Nick and I would have agreed a week ago. However as you would know Cale & co got absolutely monstered by the Blues back row of Sotutu, Ioane and Papaliti and not all of these 3 are guaranteed a start in the Black jumper. He may need to put some kgs before stepping up, Spring tour? After the week end Joe will be a bit more restless. Will need to pick a mobile tough pack for Wales and hope England does the right thing and bashes the ABs. I like your last paragraph but I would bring Swinton, Hannigan into the 6 role and Bobby V to 8
21 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can still get in to the Play Off’s. The imminent return of outstanding captain Scott Barrett and his All Black team mate Codie Taylor will be a big boost.There are others like Tamaiti Williams too. Two home games coming up. Fellow Crusader fans get there and support these guys. I will be.
1 Go to commentsCant get more Wellington than Proctor.
2 Go to commentsWhy not let the media decide. Like how they choose the head coach. Like most of us we entrust the rugby system to choose. A rugby team includes the coaches. It's collective.
13 Go to commentsHi NIck, I have been very impressed with him and he seems a smart player who can see opportunities which Bobby V _(who must be an international 6_) doesn’t see or have the speed to take advantage of. If he continues to improve and puts on 5kgs then he could be a great 8. He is a bit taller than Keiran Reid at 1.93m and 111 kgs, so his skill set fits his body size and who knows where it will lead. I hope the spate of Achilles tendon issues have been dealt with by the S&C people. It’s been a very long time since Mark Loane and Kefu stood out at 8. The question is will we be able to hold onto him, if he does make it he will be pretty hot property. I disagree with the idea of letting them go to the Northern Hemisphere and then bring them back.
21 Go to commentsBilly Fulton 🤣🤣🤣🤣 garrrmon not even close
13 Go to commentsDoes the AI take into account refs? hahaha Seriously why not have two on field refs to avoid bias?
23 Go to commentsVern challenging this Blues side might be the edge they need to fulfill their potential. Convincing results from strong D and strong carries are hard to argue against.
1 Go to commentsLove seems to add a strong back field defense with speed to close the gap and tackle to his ability to attack, kick and pass (an accurate long pass). This sets him an edge over some of the other names - JRK in particular. Has to be said that Jordan and Stevenson have also been exposed defensively while Love has yet to face test match intensity. Spoilt for choice.
1 Go to commentsHe’s strung together a few strong seasons, I’d like to see him in the ABs and build some depth along with Reiko and ALB. Levi Aumua hasn’t taken the step we hoped to see but time yet.
2 Go to comments