Premiership: Saracens 62-12 Gloucester
- Published
Aviva Premiership |
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Saracens (22) 62 |
Tries: Maitland, Williams, Farrell, Figallo, Itoje, Wyles, Penalty try, Spencer 2 Cons: Farrell 4, Spencer 2 Pen: Farrell |
Gloucester (12) 12 |
Tries: Seabrook, Halaifonua Con: Twelvetrees |
Saracens warmed up for the Premiership play-offs with victory over Gloucester.
The visitors were ahead twice thanks to tries from Tom Seabrook and David Halaifonua but Sarries hit back through Sean Maitland, Liam Williams and Owen Farrell to lead 22-12 at the break.
Juan Figallo's score secured a bonus point for the hosts before Maro Itoje and Chris Wyles crossed in a blistering start to the second half.
Sarries added a penalty try before Ben Spencer's brace wrapped up victory.
Gloucester had made 11 changes in preparation for the European Challenge Cup final against Cardiff Blues in Bilbao on Friday, 11 May (20:00 BST).
England Under-20 winger Seabrook gave the Cherry and Whites the perfect start by crossing in just 58 seconds - a record for any player on his Premiership debut.
However, Saracens took the lead after half an hour through Owen Farrell's penalty, then four tries in a 12-minute spell either side of half-time gave Mark McCall's side command.
Sarries swept the visitors away in the closing stages after Jeremy Thrush was sent to the sin-bin.
The north London side, who were already assured of finishing second, will now meet Wasps in the play-off semi-final at Allianz Park on Saturday, 19 May (12:30 BST).
Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall:
"We didn't work hard enough in the first half and they scored two wonderful tries.
"They were terrible for us though, so we spoke at half-time that we needed to take it to a higher level.
"We learnt a good lesson at Leinster in the Champions Cup as it showed you don't get any second chances and can't afford to switch off momentarily."
Gloucester head coach Johan Ackermann:
"At half-time, I thought the score should have been closer.
"After the interval, they pinned us down and capitalised on every mistake and had us under pressure in the scrums.
"We focused well for this game but there were two or three crucial penalties, which resulted in a huge momentum swing."
Saracens: Goode; Williams, Bosch, Barritt (capt), Maitland; Farrell, Wigglesworth; Barrington, Brits, Figallo, Itoje, Isiekwe, Rhodes, Burger, Wray.
Replacements: George, M Vunipola, Koch, Kruis, Earl, Spencer, Lozowski, Wyles.
Gloucester: Woodward; Seabrook, Trinder, Symons, Halaifonua; Twelvetrees, Vellacott; McAllister, Matu'u, Balmain, Savage, Thrush, Moriarty, Ludlow (capt), Clarke.
Replacements: Hibbard, Rapava Ruskin, Denman, Morgan, Polledri. Braley, Burns, Hudson.
Sin-bin: Thrush (68)
Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys.
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