Match Centre: Champions Cup: Saracens 24-32 Castres

Ben Earl scored two tries for Saracens
Ben Earl scored two tries for Saracens
©PA

Saracens 24-32 Castres, StoneX Stadium

Saracens suffered a narrow defeat to Castres Olympique in their final Investec Champions Cup pool stage match at StoneX Stadium, losing 37-29 in a thrilling encounter.

Despite braces from Ben Earl and Theo Dan, Saracens were unable to overcome the French side’s resilient performance.

The game started poorly for Saracens as Castres struck within minutes. Andrea Cocagi broke through the midfield, setting up Feibyan Tukino for the opening try. Thomas Ramos converted to give the visitors an early lead.

Saracens responded quickly, regathering their kick-off and applying pressure in Castres’ 22. After a series of powerful carries, Theo Dan crashed over following a quick-tap penalty to level the score.

Saracens continued to dominate the scrums, forcing penalties and gaining territory. However, Castres regained the lead through Adrien Seguret, whose cutting line from a quick-tap penalty resulted in their second try.

The hosts fought back before halftime, with Ben Earl scoring twice—first from a driving maul and then from a well-executed rolling maul after a penalty to the corner. Alex Lozowski converted to give Saracens a 19-14 lead at the break.

Saracens started the second half brightly but were soon pegged back by a penalty from Louis le Brun, narrowing their lead. Theo Dan restored Saracens' advantage with his second try, powering over from another rolling maul.

Castres, however, refused to back down. An offload from winger Jordan Chabouni saw him cross for a try, keeping the game within two points. The visitors then produced a moment of brilliance as replacement scrum-half Santiago Arata sparked a 50-metre break, setting up Seguret for his second try.

Saracens faced a setback when flanker Toby Knight was stretchered off after a lengthy stoppage late in the game. Despite multiple opportunities to mount a comeback, the hosts failed to convert their chances.

Castres sealed the victory with a late penalty from Louis le Brun, extending their lead and denying Saracens a bonus point.

The defeat ends Saracens' pool stage with a missed opportunity for a higher seeding in the knockout rounds.

Team line up:

Saracens: Daly; Elliott, Lozowski, Tompkins, Segun; Burke, Van Zyl; Mawi, Dan, Balmain, Itoje (capt), Tizard; Gonzalez, Earl, Willis.

Reserves: George, Brantingham, Riccioni, Michelow, Knight, Simpson, Hartley, Hall.

Castres: Chabouni; Hulleu, Seguret (capt), Cocagi, Raisuqe; Le Brun, Doubrere; Guerois-Galisson, Colonna, Corato, Maravat, Jedrasiak, Moore-Aiono, Meka, Tukino.

Reserves: Zarantonello, De Benedittis, Azar, Macurdy, Peysson, Perrone, Dupont, Zeghdar

 
 
 
 

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