Saracens number 8 Billy Vunipola produces the ‘kick of the season’ against Northampton - Ruck

Saracens number 8 Billy Vunipola produces the ‘kick of the season’ against Northampton

In a thrilling encounter, Northampton, led by two tries from James Ramm, secured a crucial bonus-point victory over Saracens, maintaining their Premiership lead with a seven-point advantage.

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Tommy Freeman, Alex Coles, and Ollie Sleightholme added to the scoreline for Saints, who dominated proceedings early on, establishing a 17-0 lead before Saracens managed to find their footing with a try from Theo McFarland.

However, Northampton surged ahead decisively in the second half, though Saracens fought back with Ben Earl’s try, keeping the match competitive. A late flourish from Alex Lewington, scoring a double in the dying moments, salvaged a bonus point for Saracens.

An unforgettable moment in the match occurred when seasoned England back-rower Vunipola opted for a rare tactic, choosing to kick the ball instead of carrying it into contact.

Initially questioned, his unconventional move paid off as the kick found space, bouncing favorably into touch just five meters from the try line.

Owen Farrell reveals the rugby players he doesn’t like:

England fly-half Owen Farrell is never afraid of sharing an opinion or two – especially when it’s about someone he doesn’t particularly like.

#1. Ryan Wilson

The Scotland back-rower was the instigator in some tunnel argy-bargy when the players returned to the changing rooms after the warm-up back in 2018 with Farrell at the centre.

Footage of the incident shows all hell breaking loose when Farrell barged his way past a number of Scotland players to confront Wilson, who had been attempting to get inside the head of George Ford.

Remembering the incident, Marler said: “It’s become an incredibly hostile rivalry (England and Scotland) and I love it. The niggle goes back to the night in 2018 when Ryan Wilson picked on George Ford in the tunnel.

“Unfortunately, I was plodding back with a belly full of cheese toastie so I was nowhere near to intervene when Wilson started dishing it out in his thick Scottish-Surrey accent.”

Wilson later revealed he was banned from Twickenham following the incident.

“I remember that game, I was actually injured and after tunnel-gate, after everything that happened in the tunnel against England, I’d lined up a corporate gig at Twickenham,” he recalled to Rugby Pass in November.

“Had it all lined up, a little bit of cash, all excited, only to get a message back saying the RFU have banned you from Twickenham Stadium after everything that happened the year before.”

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