Simply once you assume they is likely to be dropping a little bit of their mojo, languishing in fourth place, eight factors off the lead, Saracens remind us of considered one of English rugby’s seemingly everlasting truths. They’re the very best crew in it. By fairly a approach.
One other 50-point hiding was meted out, in entrance of 60,000 right here, towards some hapless stooges. That the stooges in query have been Harlequins, driving excessive till then in second place, obvious title contenders, merely underlined the truth of Saracens’ dominance of this period of English rugby.
Tries from Alex Lewington, Theo Dan and two from Sean Maitland put Sarries 24-0 up at half-time. After the break, Dan scored his second earlier than Alex Dombrandt replied for Quins. Nonetheless, Lucio Cinti, Juan Martín González and alternative Alex Goode put the gloss on the victory for Saracens.
This was Saracens’ eighth win in a row over Quins, having dismantled them on the Stoop simply after the World Cup. Earlier than we eulogise the champions too extravagantly, this obvious challenge Harlequins have with taking part in Saracens should be dwelt upon, as a result of this was not the efficiency of credible challengers. The guests have lengthy been a byword for unpredictability, as good as they’re flaky, however even by their requirements this was an inexplicable dip in efficiency. A humiliation, actually.
Count on them to be unplayable subsequent Saturday at house to Tub. This weekend, although, they didn’t play in any respect, submissive with out the ball, flat and fumbly with it.
These are by no means qualities to take right into a match in as aggressive an area because the Premiership, however towards Saracens they’re disastrous. Saracens duly gorged themselves, rattling up eight tries, 4 throughout the first half-hour to cruise previous the vanquished into second place, instantly solely three factors off the leaders, Northampton.