Despite all the unpredictability that surrounds the race for the premiership, there is something inevitable about the Saracens. Here is a compelling victory with bonus points against a Bristol team that came into the game as a premiership-shaped team, and a menacing warning for the rest of the title contenders.
The Saracens managed pretty much everything the Bears threw at them – even with 13 men for eight minutes – and picked them with an authority that shows they are still the team to smack this season, scoring four tries in the process, including two for Maro Itoje. This is the kind of feat that they have performed so many times in the last eight of major competitions and that their rivals will take note of.
Owen Farrell was excellent, pulling the strings and managing the operations and there were also outstanding artists in Juan Martín González, Nick Tompkins and Mako Vunipola. There was even a 10-minute run for Brother Billy-his first appearance since his arrest in Mallorca. Bristol, meanwhile, have seen their bubble burst and dealt with it to reach the playoffs now with a last-day trip to the upcoming Harlequins.
However, Saracens are guaranteed a playoff place, and according to this proof, a return to Twickenham for an eighth final in 11 years is conceivable-no small thing considering the surprise during a season that began with a blow to Exeter. Mark McCall promoted a goldfish mentality at the club-made popular by the hit TV show Ted Lasso-so much so that they have some in a bowl at their training ground.
“If you can just let go of what happened and put all your energy into continuing, that’s the goal all the time,” he said. “It’s a season in which we had difficult times as a team, but there were also enough very, very good performances. Our defensive performance was as good as I can remember for quite a while.”
Bristol took off in the air-they rediscovered their mojo by taking over their actioning instinct again – and scored first thanks to Joe Batley. A penalty from AJ MacGinty quickly brought Bristol’s advantage to 10-0, but from then on, a masterclass from the Saracens, who refused to panic, gave up their way into the game before spreading their wings.
Farrell wrote them on the scoreboard with a simple penalty after Siva Naulago was sent to the trash for the intentional hit. Three more points from MacGinty gave Bristol a 10–point lead back, but the Saracens struck decisively with their first try just before Naulago’s return – a well-worked move in which González was impressive in the build-up before Itoje squirted.
Three more points, this time from the left boot of Elliot Daly, who took over the kicking duties, brought the Saracens back into the draw before Itoje had his second try from close range after an excellent 50:22 from Farrell. Daly hit another penalty to turn the screw before Bristol inflated another line-up just before the break at the bottom of the Saracens’ 22.