Saracens Secure Bonus Point Win Over London Irish

In the first of two London derbies at Twickenham, to open the 2013/14 Premiership season, Saracens sealed an impressive 42-20 win over London Irish.

Chris Ashton managed to scrape the Irish line in injury time, with an outstretched arm, handing Saracens maximum points in their opening game of the season.

London Irish, who have been tipped by many to struggle in the league this year, gave a spirited performance that was ultimately in vain. Young, England winger, Marland Yarde, impressed throughout the game scoring one of Irish’s two tries; however, they paid the price for countless ill-discipline throughout the game.

Saracens, who topped last year’s league table, were looking to open their season with a win and re-create the sides’ first meeting last year, which they won 40-3. Having lost a number of ‘key’ players over the summer, including British Lions prop, Alex Corbisiero, a repeat result did look possible.

England fly half Owen Farrell opened the scoring at Twickenham with a penalty, which was followed shortly after with Saracen’s first score. Hooker Jamie George burrowed under the Irish defence after recent signing from Wasps Billy Vunipola created the gap up front, putting the 2011 champions 10-0 up after 10 minutes.

The Exiles did immediately respond with an Ian Humphreys penalty, playing in place of the injured Tom Homer, but continually struggled to threaten the line.

The stout Saracens defence was a particular feature of the game, like last season, as it helped them top the Premiership table and finish in the top four of the Heineken Cup.

However, handling errors did undo most of Saracens’ ball winning and attacking play. It was only until another Farrell penalty added to the score, stretching the lead to 13-3.

The game sprung into life with a crisp inside pass from scrum half Richard Wigglesworth, sending George through the line with an extraordinary turn of pace.

Immediately after, from the re-start, Kieran Low brought London Irish back into the game with the back row going over for a try. Following the conversion, Saracens’ lead was cut to just 8 points.

Farrell added another penalty, after Irish were penalised for holding on, left Sarries 11 points up at the half.
The second half began in the same fashion, with Farrell adding another three points to their total followed by another three to increase the lead to 17 and, importantly, two scores.

Despite a great amount of Irish determination they were continually beaten at the breakdown and in the tackle by the much stronger Saracens pack. However, Humphreys managed to add another three points with a penalty.

British Lions and England prop, Mako Vunipola, returned to rugby on home soil with an impressive try as he powered over the line for a try. Although, fellow tourist, Matt Stevens, was sent to the bin after taking out Irish’s Humphreys off the ball.

London Irish took advantage of the player advantage and capped an impressive back display with a try for England winger Marland Yarde.

But it was Ashton and Saracens who had the game’s final say, touching the ball down in injury time to secure a bonus point.

Along with his brother Mako, Billy Vunipola, recently signed from Wasps, impressed greatly on the Premiership’s opening weekend.

Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall added that "Billy [Vunipola] was great, part of a good back row today. We played him at six - he will play number eight regularly but thankfully he can play many positions. He's worked hard, lost some weight and is in the best shape he has ever been in and that's transferred onto the pitch and he has a work ethic that will hopefully continue," when he spoke to BBC Sport.

Whereas, London Irish director of Rugby, Brian Smith, took a number of positives from the game: "Our performance was a true reflection of where we are. Our scrum was very good, our line-out in the red zone needed to be clinical but the biggest difference was in the tackle area. They were good at being hard on the ball.

"We are heading in the right direction, I am happy with where we are. 50-50 decisions didn't go our way.

"Three tries to two was a fair effort from our guys but the score at the end was touch and go and blew the scoreboard out."

Line-Ups:

London Irish: Ojo; Yarde, Armitage, Sheridan, Tagicakibau; Humphreys, O'Leary (capt); Parr, Paice, Aulika, Rouse, Evans, Low, Treviranus, Fisher.

Replacements: Fenby for Yarde (74), Geraghty for Armitage (74), Allinson for O'Leary (74), Halavatau for Parr (53), Stevens for Paice (74), Yapp for Aulika (67), Danaher for Low (68), Hala'ufia for Fisher (53).

Saracens: Wyles; Ashton, Tomkins, Barritt, Strettle; Farrell, Wigglesworth; Gill, George, Stevens, Borthwick (capt), Hargreaves, Vunipola, Burger, Joubert.

Replacements: Ransom for Wyles (79), Spurling for Barritt (79), Spencer for Wigglesworth (74), M. Vunipola for Gill (52), Mordt for George (79), Kruis for Borthwick (20), Du Plessis for Burger (75), Wray for Joubert (61).