Willis bros take centre stage as Saracens keep Euro dream alive against Toulouse

Saracens produced a victory to rescue their season as they overcame Toulouse 20-14 in a heavyweight Champions Cup clash at StoneX Stadium.

Two tries from Rotimi Segun and a third by Tom Willis placed Maro Itoje’s team in command after they were in danger of being swept away by a full-blooded start from the six-time champions.

Toulouse fought back in swirling winds and driving rain and while they threatened to reel in the deficit, the arrival of Owen Farrell and Ben Earl off the bench provided Saracens with the extra class they needed to get over the line.

But the dominant figure on a famous night in north London was Willis, the England number eight who was a force of nature despite needing treatment for an early injury.

It was the response demanded by boss Mark McCall following Saracens’ recent slide down the Gallagher Prem, but it was another shaky night from Antoine Dupont’s Toulouse who were humbled 28-21 by Glasgow in their last Champions Cup outing.

Toulouse lead the Top 14 while Saracens are sixth in the Prem and the performances in the opening half hour reflected their league form.

Jack Willis’ big hit on older brother Tom was an early statement and the French visitors – who were playing into the wind – went close with forward pick and goes almost edging them over.

Saracens were being rescued through their line-out defence, a hustling mentality and determination in the tackle as typified by a strip by Itoje, but there was no stopping Blair Kinghorn’s 18th-minute try as they finally ran out of numbers.

But it only took their first assault on the visiting whitewash to register their first score with Theo McFarland’s charge down of a lazy Dupont box kick launching a counter attack that was finished by Segun in the left corner.

Saracens almost struck with another counter attack soon after but an unkind bounce meant Alex Lozowski was unable to ground Fergus Burke’s astute kick, which was produced after a burst of speed from the Scotland fly-half.

Lozowski made up for the lost opportunity by setting Segun up for his second try, a show and go sweeping him through the midfield before releasing his wing, who used his footwork to score.

The revival was in full swing as the excellent Willis muscled over in the right corner after a line-out drive, building a 17-7 interval lead.

Toulouse’s fightback began in the 47th minute when Matthis Lebel touched down in the left corner with Kinghorn, playing off a strong forward drive, releasing the wing with a long pass.

Willis stopped a certain try with a turnover and Owen Farrell, who was back from a hamstring injury, landed a penalty as Saracens went 20-14 ahead.

Worryingly for Toulouse, they were unable to mount a meaningful late attack with the closing stages of the game being ground out in their half.