Saracens put in a stellar performance as they beat the Exeter Chiefs to regain top spot again after losing it for the first time this season last week with a loss to Leicester Tigers.
Saracens Six Nations contingent all went straight back into the starting XV (except Jamie George who is recovering from a torn bicep) and it was them who had the biggest impact on the game.
Owen Farrell was superb in a MOTM performance, having not played at 10 for nine weeks, he showed Eddie Jones that he has what it takes to run the show to perfection. He kicked nearly all his goals in horrendously windy conditions, as well as kicking the ball in open play with amazing accuracy in the second half. To add to this, he even dotted down for one of Sarrie’s five tries, when he was on the end of another great offload from Schalk Brits.
Alex Goode opened the scoring in front of England’s head coach when he jinked his way through the Exeter defense to mark his 200th appearance in the 17th minute. The next try was then scored by Billy Vunipola when his finished off his own lineout move as he knocked past Olly Woodburn to score in the corner on the 32nd minute after some indiscipline from the Chiefs gave Sarries a lineout in the opposition 22. Both of these tries were scored whilst the Londoners were playing against some treacherous winds. In the first half the visitors got on the scoresheet through two Steenson penalties, including a long-range effort from around halfway.
The second half continued much the same as the first with the home side far more dominant than their visitors. The first try of the half went to the MOTM, Owen Farrell, on the 52nd minute and this was quickly followed by Waldrom’s first of the afternoon as he went over from close range to keep the Devon based side in the game. Next was a try from Jackson Wray that showcased some beautiful rugby. The Saracens kick was regathered and then after one quick ruck, Brits gave another offload to Farrell who then passed it to De Kock where he raced forward to then flick it over his head for Wray to gather and then dive over. The final Saracens try came from another double century man in Chris Wyles as he collected a flat pass from Ben Ransom and then beat the final defenders to crash over in the corner. Indiscipline was then an issue for the home side as Itoje received a yellow card due to the penalty count being deemed too high. This then meant that the Chiefs had the numbers to win a scrum on the Saracens five-metre line and then get Waldrom over for his second of the afternoon just as the clock went dead.
The score finished 36-18 and Saracens got the full five points whilst Exeter left empty handed. Later results meant that the Chiefs are now only one point above Wasps.
