Saracens crush Clermont 47-10 in Champions Cup opener
Owen Farrell was part of the winning Saracens side
©PA
Saracens 47-10 Clermont, StoneX Stadium
Saracens launched their Investec Champions Cup campaign with a dominant 47-10 victory over Clermont Auvergne at StoneX Stadium, running in seven tries and securing a bonus-point in a commanding display.
The home side made a lively start. Hugh Tizard intercepted in midfield and Elliot Daly almost finished in the corner, but a knock-on stopped the move. The opening try came soon after. Daly chipped in behind the Clermont defence and the ball bounced perfectly for Lucio Cinti, who finished comfortably. The conversion made it 7-0 after 10 minutes.
Saracens continued to press and almost doubled their lead when Noah Caluori chased a cross-field kick, but the ball rolled dead. Clermont were then reduced to 14 players when Anthime Hemery was shown a yellow card at the breakdown, and Saracens immediately increased the pressure.
Cinti scored his second try after sharp handling across the line sent him powering over. Owen Farrell converted for 14-0, and the lead stretched again before half-time.
Farrell spotted Max Malins in space on the left, and a kick ahead bounced awkwardly out of Axel Guillaud’s hands, allowing Malins to score. A late surge from the forwards saw James Hadfield burst through under the posts to seal the bonus-point before the interval. Saracens led 26-0 at the break.
Clermont struck early in the second half when Guillaud found space out wide to score, giving the visitors hope. But Saracens responded immediately. Caluori collected the ball 40 metres out, stepped his defender and raced clear to score. Farrell’s conversion made it 33-5.
As heavy rain arrived, Clermont threatened with a strong maul, but Saracens’ defence held firm. With 10 minutes left, Harry Plummer scored a close-range try for Clermont, but Saracens hit back again. Daly dummied through the defence and fed Tizard, who finished in front of the North Stand.
The final try came from Theo Dan, reacting fastest to a loose Clermont lineout to crash over and complete a seven-try performance.
Team line up:
Saracens: Daly; Caluori, Cinti, Tompkins, Malins; Farrell, Van Zyl; Carre, Hadfield, Street, Isiekwe, Tizard, McFarland, Onyeama-Christie, Willis.
Reserves: Dan, Mawi, Riccioni, Wilson, Michelow, Bracken, Burke, Segun.
Clermont Auvergne: Guillaud; Tauzin, Newsome, Simone, Delguy; Plummer, Jauneau; Lotrian, Fourcade, Ojovan, Lanen, Ratuva, Chalus-Cercy, Hemery, Tolofua.
Reserves: Belkessa, Frisach, Dzmanashvili, Simmons, Michaux Vargas, Bezy, Moala, Dessaigne.
