Saracens destroy Ospreys in Champions Cup

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Saracens picked up all five points as they cruised to a 44-3 win over Ospreys in their Champions Cup Pool Four match on Saturday.

The victory has given the defending champions a much-needed spark in Europe after being beaten by Racing 92 in their season opener.

Two early penalty kicks from Elliot Daly and Manu Vunipola pushed Saracens ahead early before they added a try through Jack Singleton – who with the help of his fellow forwards – powered over the tryline in the corner after a well-worked line-out.

James Hook responded with a penalty kick for Ospreys but that was as good as it got for the Welsh region who were largely dominated by the defending champions.

Some stunning work through the hands from Saracens followed as play reached Daly who made the final pass to Rotimi Segun to dive over for his first Champions Cup try.

Rotimi then turned provider just before the interval as his pass to Alex Lewington on the other flank was perfect to give Saracens a third try on half-time.

The English side added three further tries in the second half from Segun, Richard Barrington and a penalty try rounded off what was a comprehensive success for the hosts.

In Round Three, Saracens go on the road to face Munster while Ospreys will host Racing 92 next month.

The scorers:

For Saracens:

Tries: Singleton, Segun 2, Lewington, Penalty Try, Barrington.

Cons: M Vunipola 3

Pens: Daly, M Vunipola

For Ospreys:

Pen: Hook

Teams:

Saracens: 15 Elliot Daly, 14 Rotimi Segun, 13 Duncan Taylor, 12 Brad Barritt (captain), 11 Alex Lewington, 10 Manu Vunipola, 9 Tom Whiteley, 8 Jackson Wray, 7 Ben Earl, 6 Nick Isiekwe, 5 George Kruis, 4 Will Skelton, 3 Titi Lamositele, 2 Jack Singleton, 1 Mako Vunipola.

Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Richard Barrington, 18 Josh Ibuanokpe, 19 Joel Kpoku, 20 Andy Christie, 21 Richard Wigglesworth, 22 Alex Lozowski, 23 Matt Gallagher.

Ospreys: 15 Cai Evans, 14 Hanno Dirksen, 13 Owen Watkin, 12 Kieran Williams, 11 Tom Williams, 10 James Hook, 9 Aled Davies, 8 Morgan Morris, 7 Olly Cracknell (captain), 6 Marvin Orie, 5 Bradley Davies, 4 Adam Beard, 3 Ma’afu Fia, 2 Scott Otten, 1 Nicky Smith.

Replacements: 16 Ifan Phillips, 17 Gareth Thomas, 18 Tom Botha, 19 Lloyd Ashley, 20 Sam Cross, 21 Shaun Venter, 22 Luke Price, 23 Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler.

Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)

Assistant referees: Thomas Charabas (France), Vincent Blasco Baqué (France)

TMO: Philippe Bonhoure (France)

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