Saracens showed exactly why they are contending for a fourth Gallagher Premiership title in four seasons by beating Wasps.
The late loss to injury of Mako Vunipola and Michael Rhodes didn’t deter Mark McCall’s side, who set the tone with three first-half tries.
Wasps threatened a rival through their forward pack in the second half and Nathan Hughes turned the screw, but Saracens bounce back from their defeat to Bristol Bears with a commanding victory.
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MAN OF THE MATCH
Saracens have secured two signal victories at the Ricoh Arena inside a week and no-one was more instrumental to the second than Ben Spencer.
The speedy scrum-half set the tone when he picked off a Joe Simpson pass, turning on the afterburners to score from inside his own half.
And the 26-year-old was at the heart of Will Skelton’s score which put the game to bed, changing the angle of attack in the tightest of spaces to send the lock clean through.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH
It came in defeat but departing Wasps scrum-half Joe Simpson showed what he’s all about in the build-up to his side’s first try.
Simpson showed customary bottle to recover from an early error and charge down Saracens’ hurried clearing kick in the 23rd minute.
Equally as impressive was his presence of mind to pop the ball to the onrushing Kearnan Myall, a superbly worked try that ensured Wasps stemmed the first-half tide.
WHAT THEY SAID
Saracens fly-half Owen Farrell: “We had a couple of late changes and any team would miss players of the calibre of Mako and Mike.
“There’s lots of things that happen in rugby team and you’ve got to use it to make you better. We did that today.
“It wasn’t our best performance but we’ve come away and got the job done. We’ve got a lot of games ahead but we’re prepared for what’s coming.”
Wasps director of rugby Dai Young: “Saracens were better in every area in the first half, but we have to look at ourselves.
“We gave away too many penalties and it’s always going to be tough against such a quality side if you allow them possession of the ball and don’t win any collisions.
“Second half we were better and that gives us a crumb of comfort.”
BEST OF SOCIAL
How did Ben Spencer get out of that one?! 👏
Brilliant composure by the scrum-half who flicks it to Will Skelton…
Who is quite simply too big to defend 😲
Excellent try, Sarries have their tails up now! pic.twitter.com/POIm3aNjBo
— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) April 27, 2019
Bucket shake for Wasps Community Foundation at Wasps v Saracens #COYW #WASvSAR pic.twitter.com/JLrF60HGuB
— Dave (@waveyx1970) April 27, 2019
Waiting for kick off at Wasps vs Saracens. Happy Birthday Dad! #GEFCOWASPS pic.twitter.com/3gQV0JLyiN
— Gareth Evans (@DrWobble) April 27, 2019
