Saracens 48-18 Worcester: Sarries romp to convincing win against the Warriors - Ruck

Saracens 48-18 Worcester: Sarries romp to convincing win against the Warriors

  • Reigning Aviva Premiership champions Saracens ran in six tries to thrash Worcester 48-18 in the London double header at Twickenham on Saturday
  • Chris Ashton grabbed tries in both halves as Sarries recorded their 10th consecutive win in all competitions
  • Ben Spencer, Jackson Wray, Schalk Brits and Ben Ransom also touched down as they secured try-scoring bonus point while Joe Rees and GJ van Velze scored late consolations for Worcester
  • Saracens fly-half Charlie Hodgson kicked 18 points from the tee to make up their total
Saracens thrashed Worcester at Twickenham on Saturday, outplaying the Warriors with a perfect example of free-flowing rugby to take maximum points and record a 10th consecutive win in all competitions.

Worcester, who have never won n game of XV’s at the South-West London stadium, never looked like getting anything from the game as Saracens raced in for their first of their six tries after just four minutes when wing-wizard Chris Ashton, who would go onto score a brace, crashed over.

Sarries rugby was fast, furious and fun as they repetitively stretched the Warriors before racing in to score almost on demand. Ben Spencer, Jackson Wray, Schalk Brits and Ben Ransom all touched down for Saracens as they eased to victory.

Saracens fly-half Charlie Hodgson, who announced he will retire at the end of the season, made up the rest of Sarries total, kicking 18 points to take his Premiership career tally past 2,500.

There were some bright moments for Worcester as Joe Rees and GJ van Velze scored late consolations to send their supporters home with at least something to cheer.



Ashton was in for the first five-pointer to give Sarries the lead after just four minutes following some superb build-up play from Spencer, who darted through a gap to create the space. Hodgson then kept his composure to add the extras, 7-0.

Sarries had try number two after Chris Wyles sped down the wing before the American slipped in Spencer for another breakaway score. Hodgson again calmly added the extras two.

Hodgson and Heathcote then exchanged two penalties each as the reigning Premiership champions led comfortably 20-6 at the break.



Saracens got their third try of the afternoon from a catch and drive from a close-range line-out four minutes after the restart with Wray being the man to force the ball down. Hodgson continued his impeccable kicking display with the conversion, 27-6.

They then secured the bonus point after 52 minutes as Hodgson slipped in wing-wizard Chris Ashton to finish yet another superb counter-attacking move to score his second try of the contests. Hodgson again added the extras.

Although Saracens already had the bonus point in the bag, but there was no stopping them as Brits, who was instrumental in the fourth try, bundled over from a rolling maul. Hodgson again converted, 41-6.

Ransom then touched down Sarries sixth try, stepping back inside to wrong-foot two defenders before diving over for the score. Hodgson again squeezed the attempted conversion through the sticks.

Joe Rees and GJ van Velze then touched down late conversions for Worcester to add some respectability to the scoreline with Heathcote able to convert the second, 48-18.


MAN OF THE MATCH
Saracens: Chris Ashton

Saracens: 15 Ben Ransom, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Marcelo Bosch, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 Chris Wyles, 10 Charlie Hodgson, 9 Ben Spencer, 8 Ernst Joubert, 7 Will Fraser, 6 Kelly Brown, 5 Alistair Hargreaves (c), 4 George Kruis, 3 Juan Figallo, 2 Schalk Brits, 1 Rhys Gill.
Replacements: 16 Jared Saunders, 17 Richard Barrington, 18 Titi Lamositele, 19 Maro Itoje, 20 Samulea Vunisa, 21 Neil De Kock, 22 Owen Farrell, 23 Nick Tompkins.

Worcester Warriors: 15 Chris Pennell, 14 Bryce Heem, 13 Wynand Olivier, 12 Ryan Mills, 11 Cooper Vuna, 10 Tom Heathcote, 9 Jonny Arr, 8 GJ van Velze (c), 7 Sam Betty, 6 Phil Dowson, 5 Darren Barry, 4 Donncha O’Callaghan, 3 Nick Schonert, 2 Niall Annett, 1 Na’ama Leleimalefaga.
Replacements: 16 Jaba Bregvadze, 17 Val Rapava Ruskin, 18 Joe Rees, 19 Tevita Cavubati, 20 Matt Cox, 21 Charlie Mulchrone, 22 Ryan Lamb, 23 Ben Howard.


Date: Saturday 28 November
Venue: Twickenham Stadium
Kick-off: 15:15 GMT
Referee: Ian Tempest
Assistant referees: Peter Huckle, Nigel Carrick
TMO: Rowan Kitt