At Last, Sarries Show Class Of Champions

WITH Mako Vunipola wielding the cudgel up front and Owen Farrell slipping the dagger in when Northampton had been battered, this try beating might yet be enough to see Saracens defend their European title.

- Nick Cain

The bonus point they had secured in a first half blitz ensured Saracens second place in their group on 18 points, behind Clermont. However, they face a fraught weekend waiting on other results because only the three best second placed teams progress to the quarter-finals.

If they do squeeze through the back door, on this evidence no-one will be too keen to host them because after the stuttering draw against the Ospreys last weekend this was more like the formidable Saracens side that have been back-to-back champions in the last two years.

By the end of this encounter they had swamped a Northampton side that flattered to deceive with a brisk start that saw a darting Cobus Reinach try from a spill by Alex Goode, converted by Harry Mallinder, give them a 7-0 lead.