THE SHOWDOWN 4
MATCH REPORT
Saracens are sensational in The Showdown 4 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Saracens ran in eight tries for a club record 52-7 victory against Harlequins in the Gallagher Premiership at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday.
The Showdown has provided some spectacular rugby union in N17 and this performance was right up there as Sarries climbed up to second in the Premiership with a huge clash against leaders Northampton Saints to follow.
The stage was set with some of the biggest names in world rugby ready to face off in front of over 61,000 fans, led by the prospect of a fascinating battle between the legendary figure of Owen Farrell - the skipper and England's record Test points scorer was celebrating his 250th appearance for Saracens - and his opposite number at fly-half, England star Marcus Smith. The Vunipola brothers, Billy and Maku, lined-up for Sarries alongside Elliot Daly and Ben Earl, one of England's rising stars. Meanwhile, Smith started alongside England team-mates Danny Care, Joe Marler and Alex Dombrandt.
However, Saracens were always in complete control - they opened the scoring inside three minutes and just didn't let up in terms of clinically taking opportunties and relentless pressure defensively.
Alex Lewington scored that first try with Theo Dan adding a second and then Sean Maitland - a late replacement for injured Rotimi Segun - scored twice, the highlight finishing a move that included a pass through the legs from Daly. Farrell added two conversions as Sarries led 24-0 at half-time.
You felt it needed a quick start from Harlequins and for them to score next - but it was exactly the opposite as Dan went in from close range for his second try just four minutes into the second half, Sarries' fifth score converted by Farrell to make it 31-0.
Harlequins' only real sustained spell of pressure followed and they were on the scoreboard when Dombrandt went over from a line-out, converted by Smith from the touchline for 31-7. It was short lived though as Lucio Cinti scored the next try and was followed in by Juan Martin Gonzalez and Alex Goode, with Farrell adding the three conversions for the final 52-7 scoreline.
Harlequins: Marler, Walker, Collier, Launchbury, Hammond, Lewies (c), W Evans, Dombrandt, Care, M Smith, Murley, Esterhuizen, Beard, Lynagh, T Green. Replacements: Riley, Baxter, Lewis, Herbst, Trenholm, Green, Northmore, David.
Tries: Saracens - Dan (2), Maitland (2), Lewington, Cinti, Gonzalez, Goode. Harlequins - Dombrandt.
Conversions: Saracens - Farrell (6). Harlequins - Smith.
Attendance: 61,214.