Rugby

Connacht deliver a performance but Saracens take full points in show of power

Pete Wilkins’s side led 17-8 midway through the first half but Saracens pack always had the upper hand

Sean Maitland of Saracens dives over to score their fifth try despite the tackle of Connacht's John Porch during the Investec Champions Cup match at StoneX Stadium in Barnet. Photograph: David Rogers/Getty Images
Sean Maitland of Saracens dives over to score their fifth try despite the tackle of Connacht's John Porch during the Investec Champions Cup match at StoneX Stadium in Barnet. Photograph: David Rogers/Getty Images
Linley MacKenzie at StoneX Stadium
Sun Dec 17 2023 - 15:35
Champions Cup Pool 1: Saracens 55 Connacht 36

Connacht, in delivering a performance but not the victory against a totally-in-charge Saracens, now face a challenging Christmas period in both European and URC competitions.

Saturday’s Champions Cup fixture, in which 13 tries were scored with the English Premiership outfit bagging eight, Connacht’s haul of five was enough to give them a bonus point deserving of a creditable performance. It gives them a glimmer of hope when they next face Lyon, before Pat Lam’s Bristol arrives in Galway.

“First and foremost we have to keep striving to be competitive in this competition,” said head coach Pete Wilkins. “It has to be our goal, get out of the group stages, and make a mark. That is the ambitions of the players and the club.

“You do that by getting outcomes when not particularly playing well within games, you do it by coming to difficult places and getting losing bonus points. You’ve got to earn the right.”

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But it does not get easier for Wilkins’ charges who now face Ulster and Munster in the URC where they currently sit precariously in eighth spot.

“There are no easy games. It’s a massive cliche, but this is where we want to be testing ourselves, and if it means we have to use more depth in our squad and rotate players a little bit more, then so be it, but this is where we want to be.”

Connacht's Gavin Thornbury attempts to block a kick from Saracens’ Aled Davies. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho
Connacht's Gavin Thornbury attempts to block a kick from Saracens’ Aled Davies. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho

In truth, Wilkins side were always up against it as Saracens took charge from the off and any hopes Connacht would bag their first win in England since 2009 were scuppered after the home tean scored a fifth try on 55 minutes to extend their lead to 36-17. From then on the result was a formality, and although there was no way back Connacht showed sufficient fortitude and pride to add to their tally to keep the scoreline respectable.

“We can use it as learning, as motivation, the chance to get better,” Wilkins added, “And, what we are seeing across these two games is the group is learning and responding in the right way. As long as we have that character, we put ourselves in a position to do something with our rugby. That character and fight was there this weekend and we’ve got to make sure that intensity doesn’t drop.”

Saracens, having opened with an eighth minute try, led 21-17 at the break courtesy of crossing the line for a third try on the half-time whistle. Yet in between Connacht put in a huge shift, not only to stem the home tide, but to put the necessary points on the board and midway through the half, they led 17-8.

However, as expected Saracen’s big men proved influential, particularly Argentinian international Juan Martin Gonzales who produced a superb finish after Connacht were unable to control an unfortunate bounce of the ball. But when Connacht took a 7-5 lead on 13 minutes courtesy of a try from Bundee Aki, it was a deserved reward for a well-organised forward drive following a superb touch finder delivered by Jack Carty in his 200th game for the club.

Yet in Maro Itoje and the Vunipola brothers the home side had natural ball winners, while Owen Farrell provided the breathing space when necessary with his tactical kicking, in addition to adding a penalty for an 8-7 lead. Then Connacht produced a superb try from a penalty to touch. Hooker Dave Heffernan played a central role before Caolin Blade produced a clever switch from the back of a ruck to dive over. Carty’s conversion put the visitors into a 14-8 lead after 25 minutes before the outhalf added a penalty.

Thereafter, however, the home side took complete charge. By half-time they had taken a 21-17 lead - both tries coming from influential hooker Jamie George, with Farrell adding a penalty. Immediately after the restart centre Olly Hartley delivered the bonus point try, capitalising on an Andy Goode grubber kick.

Connacht, forced to work hard for every ball, were not helped by a yellow card to Cian Prendergast and it was a simple three points for Farrell. Thereafter the home side delivered two tries. Farrell was again instrumental in providing Sean Maitland with an easy score before right wing Luci Cinti dotted down minutes later.

Wilkins’ side never gave up the fight as the influential Aki provided JJ Hanrahan with the opportunity to touch down, and Joe Joyce delivered the bonus point score. Saracens were not to be stopped, however, adding scores through Olly Hartley and Theo Dan. Although Hanrahan provided Prendergast with the opportunity to add his name to the try tally in injury time, it made little difference to the overwhelming superiority of Mark McCall’s team.

SCORING SEQUENCE – 8 mins: J Gonzalez try, 5-0; 13: B Aki try, J Carty con, 5-7; 20: O Farrell pen, 8-7; 25: C Blade try, Carty con, 8-14; 20: Carty pen, 8-17; 33: J George try, 13-17; 39: Farrell pen, 16-17; 40+1: George try, 21-17. Half-time 21-17. 43: O Hartley try, Farrell con, 28-17; 52: Farrell pen 31-17; 55: S Maitland try, Farrell con, 38-17; 57: L Cinti try, 43-17; 61: JJ Hanrahan try, Hanrahan con, 43-24; 64: Hartley try, Farrell con, 50-24; 67: J Joyce try, 50-29; 71: T Dan try 55-29; 80+2: C Prendergast try, Hanrahan con, 55-36.

SARACENS: A Goode; L Cinti Luna, N Tompkins, O Hartley, S Maitland; O Farrell, A Davies; M Vunipola, J George, A Clarey; M Itoje, T McFarland; JM Gonzalez, A Christie, B Vunipola.

Replacements: I van Zyl for George (55 mins); T Dan for Davies, T West for George (both 56); A Lewington for M Vunipola (58); H Tizard for B Vunipolo (63); T Knight for Gonzales (65); L Mulipola for Clarey (68); T Parton for Goode (70).

Yellow card: Itoje (58 mins).

CONNACHT: J Porch; B Ralston, T Farrell, B Aki, S Bolton; J Carty, C Blade; J Duggan, D Heffernan, J Aungier; D Murray, G Thornbury; C Prendergast, C Oliver, P Boyle.

Replacements: F Bealham for Aungier, D Buckley for Duggan, J Joyce for Thornbury (all 48 mins); J Butler for Oliver (56); M McDonald for Blade, JJ Hanrahan for Carty (both 58); D Kilgallen for Porch (60).

Yellow card: Prendergast (50 mins).

Referee: Luc Ramos (Fra).

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