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 keep European hopes alive with win at Ospreys

Written by 
Published in Rugby
Saturday, 11 January 2020 07:03

Saracens beat Ospreys to keep alive their hopes of retaining the European Champions Cup - despite playing for 75 minutes with 14 men.

Rhys Carre was sent off after just five minutes for a shoulder-led tackle on Dan Evans, who scored the first half's only try as Ospreys trailed 12-10.

Evans crossed early into the second half to put the hosts ahead but Saracens reclaimed the lead with Alex Lewington's try.

Manu Vunipola's fifth penalty sealed victory for Saracens, who move up to second place in Pool Four.

That could change when leaders Racing 92 host Munster in Paris on Sunday (15:15 GMT).

For Ospreys, meanwhile, their season goes from miserable to worse. They have now lost all five of their European fixtures to date and 14 of their 15 matches in all competitions.

This game could have been billed as the crisis club derby, given how torrid a season Ospreys and Saracens had endured.

The English and European champions were still picking up the pieces from a deduction of 35 points and £5.36m fine for breaching the salary cap, while Ospreys were in the midst of their worst campaign, without a head coach and in disarray on and off the field.

Saracens' Champions Cup crown sat a little unsteadily having lost two of their first four matches but, with wins in their other two fixtures, they still had hope of qualifying.

However, that aspiration took an early hit in Swansea when Wales loose-head Carre was shown a red card by referee Alexandre Ruiz for a tackle in which his shoulder appeared to connect with the head of Ospreys full-back Evans.

Coincidentally, this was Evans' first game back after a four-week suspension for an even quicker dismissal, just 37 seconds into December's Champions Cup loss to Racing.

Carre's departure - with Wales head coach Wayne Pivac watching in the crowd - was a leveller in what had been expected to be a one-sided affair.

Although Saracens had rested England players such as Owen Farrell, Maro Itoje and Billy Vunipola, their enviable strength in depth meant they were still able to name a team they thought would overpower their opponents.

And despite their numerical disadvantage - made worse when Calum Clark was sin-binned during the first half - they were still fiercely competitive, forcing several turnovers and building a 12-3 lead thanks to Vunipola's penalty kicking.

It was telling that Saracens had responded to Carre's red card by bringing replacement loose-head Richard Barrington on for full-back Elliott Obateyinbo, making his first European start.

Some teams might have feared leaving themselves exposed in the outside back positions, but the champions were willing to take that risk to ensure they were still a force up front.

It was almost as if they were laying down the gauntlet to their confidence-shy opponents: try and beat us out wide if you think you can.

To their credit, Ospreys accepted the challenge and made use of their greater numbers, with fly-half Luke Price stretching the game and supplying the key passes for Evans' tries either side of half-time.

That put the hosts in front, daring to dream of causing a major upset.

But they were soon brought back down to earth as Saracens hit back five minutes later, Lewington catching a high ball before racing clear for a converted score which put his side 19-15 ahead.

Once they were back in front, they never looked like surrendering their lead.

Whereas Saracens never know when they are beaten, Ospreys seem to have forgotten how to win.

Ospreys forwards coach Carl Hogg said: "I think we missed out on a golden opportunity. Saracens went down to 14 men and we had an opportunity to win a game.

"I think our discipline in the first half allowed them to get a foothold and build that lead but I still think we had chances just after half-time, so we're disappointed not to take that opportunity.

"They're one of the best sides in Europe. It's very difficult to chase Saracens when they get in front. So we were architects of our own downfall in that first half."

Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall said: "We were down to 14 men for the whole match and to problem-solve the way players did was outstanding.

"Our senior players - Jackson Wray, Richard Wigglesworth, George Kruis - were magnificent out there and came up with the right answers to the questions that were posed.

"And our younger players listened to what they said and got stuck in. It was a great win."

On Rhys Carre's red card: "I haven't had a close look at it but if the referee says it was head contact, you've got to face the consequences. I haven't seen it close enough."

Ospreys: D Evans; Dirksen, North, Thomas-Wheeler, L Morgan; Price, Venter; Marfo, Otten, Fia, Beard, Alun Wyn Jones, Lydiate (capt), Cross, M Morris.

Replacements: Parry, Fawcett, Gardiner, Ashley, Baker, A Davies, C Evans, Klim.

Saracens: Obatoyinbo; Maitland, Lozowski, Tompkins, Lewington; M Vunipola, Wigglesworth; Carre, Singleton, Lamositele, Skelton, Kruis, Isiekwe, Clark, Wray (capt).

Replacements: Woolstencroft, Barrington, Koch, Kpoku, Reffell, Whiteley, Segun, Crossdale.

Referee: Alexandre Ruiz (France).

Assistants: Ludovic Cayre (France) & Cedric Marchat (France)

TMO: Patrick Dellac (France)

For the latest rugby union news follow @bbcrugbyunion on Twitter.

Read 336 times

Soccer

Southampton vs Liverpool: Slot hails resilient win

Southampton vs Liverpool: Slot hails resilient win

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLiverpool boss Arne Slot praised his team for mounting a second-hal...

Vini, Mbappé connect as Madrid ease past Leganés

Vini, Mbappé connect as Madrid ease past Leganés

Kylian Mbappé ended his goal drought with a thunderous strike and midfielder Jude Bellingham scored...

Marta, Orlando Pride win 1st NWSL Championship

Marta, Orlando Pride win 1st NWSL Championship

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsKANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Barbra Banda's goal stood up as the winner to l...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Sources: Hornets' Williams out for rest of season

Sources: Hornets' Williams out for rest of season

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCharlotte Hornets forward Grant Williams sustained season-ending te...

'Phenomenal' Pippen Jr. shines in dad's ex-arena

'Phenomenal' Pippen Jr. shines in dad's ex-arena

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsScotty Pippen Jr. already had plenty of fond memories of watching h...

Baseball

Carty, 1970 NL batting champ with Braves, dies

Carty, 1970 NL batting champ with Braves, dies

EmailPrintRico Carty, who won the 1970 National League batting title when he hit a major-league-best...

Hays, Finnegan, Rodgers among new free agents

Hays, Finnegan, Rodgers among new free agents

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Outfielder Austin Hays and right-hander Kyle Finnegan -...

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