- Saracens raced into an impressive 24-0 lead against the Premiership holders
- Northampton grew into the game but the hosts just proved too string for them
- Mark McCall’s Saracens will sit third in the Premiership table on Christmas Day
For this Gallagher Premiership clash, the league’s last before Christmas, Saracens organised for a man dressed as Santa Claus to deliver the match ball for kick-off.
What Mark McCall’s side could not have expected was for defending champions Northampton to give them a first-half festive gift of a 24-0 lead.
Playing into a difficult wind, Saracens should have had their backs to the wall for the first 40. But Saints couldn’t have been more generous. The visitors spilled ball whenever they had possession and struggled to retain it in the air, albeit with the difficult conditions playing a part.
Saracens aren’t a team who need any help. Saints briefly threatened a comeback, but even losing Maro Itoje to a yellow card couldn’t derails the hosts.
There were 10 tries in total, but no doubts that the better side won.
Home forwards Tom Willis and Ben Earl impressed with their physicality while at No 10, Fergus Burke again controlled things nicely. Burke scored twice for a 19-point haul.
Ben Earl impressed as Saracens got reeady for Christmas with a win over Northampton Saints
Fergus Burke shined scoring two tries and kicking three conversions as well as a penalty
His progress filling the void left by Owen Farrell has been understated to date, but he is growing nicely into the Saracens playmaker role. Like Saracens as a collective, Willis has been in fine form too. He must surely be in the mix for an England Six Nations call early in 2025 given he provides priceless bulk and carrying ability from the back-row.
‘Our first half was really, really outstanding playing into the gale,’ said Saracens director of rugby McCall. ‘It was as good a 40 minutes as we’ve had for a long time.’
McCall hailed his team’s ‘intensity’ and ‘physicality’ and added: ‘The first 40 showed what we are capable of. The last three weeks have been decent.’
On Burke, who is in his debut season in English rugby, McCall said: ‘I thought he was very good, especially in the first half. Ivan van Zyl and Fergus used the ball really smartly.
‘Fergus made a lot of good decisions. He’s done really well since joining and has hit the ground running. It’s a long journey he’s on with us.’
Once Santa – who loved being the centre of attention – had eventually left the field and allowed Fin Smith to start the match, it was one-way traffic.
Saracens had the wind against them and lost Elliot Daly in the warm-up.
But Burke started and ended the first half with tries and front rows Rhys Carre and Theo Dan crossed in between. Dan’s power for his try was impressive.
The match started with some Christmas spirit as a man dressed a Santa Claus brought out the match ball
Dowson said travelling to and from South Africa last week had no impact on Northampton’s performance
The wind was significant. At one stage, home scrum-half Van Zyl attempted to box kick clear, but the conditions meant his effort was blown back and went vertical. Van Zyl was forced to claim the ball he had kicked back himself. It’s not often you see that. Saints also struggled at the scrum.
Northampton director of rugby Phil Dowson gave his players a half-time rocket.
‘I wasn’t singing carols,’ Dowson admitted, cracking a smile which belied the fact his team’s attempt at a title defence is slipping away. I was annoyed and frustrated because we are capable.’
Saints wing Tommy Freeman immediately scored out of nowhere when the game resumed.
Itoje then hit opposite number Tom Lockett with a high and dangerous tackle. It was nasty. But the England man was only shown yellow and not red. Lockett was forced to leave the field due to the incident.
Tom Pearson narrowed the Saints gap, but England captain Jamie George and Earl then scored twice in quick succession to make the game safe. Ollie Sleightholme and Archie McParland did ensure Saints went home with a losing bonus point.
Dowson said travelling to and from South Africa for a famous Champions Cup win last weekend had no impact on his team’s display here. But the truth is Saints are inconsistent in the league this season and they will do well to be champions again from their current position.
‘We just didn’t play well enough in the first half,’ Dowson admitted. ‘It’s hard to put your finger on.’
