Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Saracens 44-3 Ospreys: Defending European champions win with bonus point

Written by 
Published in Rugby
Saturday, 23 November 2019 08:20

Defending champions Saracens returned to winning ways in the European Champions Cup with a bonus-point victory over Ospreys in Pool Four.

Sarries, who were beaten by Racing 92 in their opening game, led 23-3 at the interval after tries by Jack Singleton, Alex Lewington and Rotimi Segun.

Winger Segun added a second to secure the bonus point after the break before a Richard Barrington try.

James Hook kicked Ospreys' three points from their solitary penalty in range.

Sarries shake off early season disappointment

Saracens' season has been mired in controversy after the club were fined £5.36m and stripped of domestic league points for breaching salary cap regulations, and they would have been delighted to field England trio Elliot Daly, Mako Vunipola and George Kruis in their first home game since deciding not to appeal against the decision.

Hooker Singleton, who also went to the World Cup with England, opened the scoring from the back of the maul, but it did not take long for the club's returning players to showcase their pedigree.

The impressive Daly - making his Saracens debut - caught a loose ball which was diverted into his path by a fortuitous kick by Tom Whitley, before gliding forward and drawing the defender to pop the electric Segun into space for his first try.

Segun then turned provider for his opposite winger Lewington to extend the advantage, before securing the bonus point in the corner after Daly's neat footwork and pass.

The hosts were rampant by that stage against an Ospreys side that had few opportunities in attack, and a penalty try was quickly followed by a score from close range by powerful replacement prop Barrington.

The visitors had a late chance to claim a consolation but Owen Watkin's loop pass was too high and long for his winger.

Saracens move to the top of the pool although Racing and Munster - who both won their opening games - have a game in hand, while Ospreys remain rooted to the bottom of the table.

Man of the match - Elliot Daly (Saracens)

'It felt much more like ourselves' - what they said

Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall told BBC Radio London: "It was good overall. We thought we were OK in the first half but we were sloppy at times.

"It was a much better second-half performance and it felt much more like ourselves. It is the first time the group has been together for five months and there has been a really positive atmosphere around the club because these lads like each other, so it's good we were able to put something on the field today.

"We are blessed to have a player who is fit like Elliot [Daly], can play in a few positions and can play like he did today which was outstanding."

Ospreys coach Allen Clarke told BBC Sport Wales: "There's undoubtedly a bit of self-belief missing among the group at the moment, based on the run we've been on.

"There's no lack of desire or effort but when you're chasing a confidence-boosting win this is a tough place to come.

"History has shown us on on the rare occasions teams have come out of the group after losing the first two, it's a big ask and for us it's more about week to week, trying to get boys back on the field.

"We picked up another couple of injuries, Tom Botha (ankle) and Bradley Davies (arm), which adds to the perfect storm we're in at the moment."

Teams

Saracens: Daly; Segun, Taylor, Barritt, Lewington; Manu Vunipola, Whiteley; Mako Vunipola, Singleton, Lamositele, Skelton, Kruis, Isiekwe, Earl, Wray.

Replacements: George, Barrington, Ibuanokpe, Kpoku, Christie, Wigglesworth, Lozowski, Gallagher.

Ospreys: Evans; Dirksen, Watkin, K Williams, T Williams; Hook, Davies; Smith, Otten, Fia, Beard, B Davies, Orie, Cracknell, Morris.

Replacements: Phillips, Thomas, Botha, Ashley, Cross, Venter, Price, Thomas-Wheeler.

Read 318 times

Soccer

Mexico coach hit in head by beer can in Honduras

Mexico coach hit in head by beer can in Honduras

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsA full can of beer thrown from the stands struck Mexico coach Javie...

Lyon handed provisional relegation, transfer ban

Lyon handed provisional relegation, transfer ban

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLyon have been banned from making any transfers in the January tran...

Palma brace lifts Honduras over Mexico in NL

Palma brace lifts Honduras over Mexico in NL

A brace from Luis Palma on Friday carried Honduras to a 2-0 Concacaf Nations League victory over Mex...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Jenkins talks NBA 'code' after no-call on Draymond

Jenkins talks NBA 'code' after no-call on Draymond

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsSAN FRANCISCO -- Once again, the "code" word has come up in a game...

Fox scores franchise-best 60 but Kings lose in OT

Fox scores franchise-best 60 but Kings lose in OT

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsSACRAMENTO, Calif. -- When De'Aaron Fox saw that he had 48 points i...

Baseball

Ex-Reds manager Bell joins Blue Jays' front office

Ex-Reds manager Bell joins Blue Jays' front office

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsTORONTO -- The Toronto Blue Jays hired former Cincinnati Reds manag...

Ferrara, who won 2 titles with Dodgers, dies at 84

Ferrara, who won 2 titles with Dodgers, dies at 84

EmailPrintFormer outfielder Al "The Bull" Ferrara died Friday, the Los Angeles Dodgers announced. He...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated