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Owen Farrell's display in his 200th Saracens appearance had his coach in raptures

By PA
(Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall lauded the form of Owen Farrell after admitting his side had narrowly escaped defeat after emerging as 38-24 Gallagher Premiership winners against Harlequins at Allianz Park.

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The relegated champions surged 28-3 ahead but were reeled in 31-24 as Quins staged a dramatic final-quarter comeback inspired by the arrival of bulldozing United States centre Paul Lasike from the bench.

“We were pretty good in the first half, we were in control at that stage, but we were very sloppy in the last 20 minutes,” McCall said. “It’s one of those games where there are certain things we are very content with and certain things we are not content with at all. 

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    “It’s a good win against a good side. We did some things that allowed Quins to get some energy back and get themselves back in the game. They did that really well and put us under real pressure and it was game on for the last five minutes so we are grateful to come away with the win.”

    Owen Farrell marked his 200th appearance for Saracens by making his comeback from a tight quad that forced him to miss the restart opener against Bristol. “Owen’s contribution over the time he has been with us has been incredible. He was outstanding again in this game,” McCall said.

    Quins head of rugby Paul Gustard was critical of his fly-half Marcus Smith, who was successful with a drop goal at a time when his team were pushing hard for a try and had penalty advantage that called for an all-out assault on the whitewash.

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    “We didn’t control the field in the first half as well as we could. Two or three big penalties went against us and they were quite critical,” Gustard said. “I felt like that moment just before half-time when we had penalty advantage and took a drop kick instead of trying to push for the try, was a big turning point in the game.

    “It left us with a big mountain to climb but we did that. We were the more dominant team in the second half. We were physically dominant, on top in the scrum, but we just couldn’t quite control the field in that final minute.”

    Quins’ fightback hinged on the 57th-minute arrival of Lasike, who used his strength to score two tries and set up a third for fellow substitute Scott Steele. “Paul is a big, strong boy. There aren’t many people who can carry the ball into direct contact as well as he can. He relishes that part of the game,” Gustard said.

    “He’s a big player for us but unfortunately he had a couple of small niggles during pre-season, which are hampering how many minutes we feel can play at the moment. But he’s certainly a threat when he carries the ball, he sits people down and people don’t want to tackle him. We saw that with his tries.”

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    S
    Soliloquin 1 hour ago
    Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

    For Fischer, many people in France are still doubting him - it’s the first time he has a full season (31 games). Before, he was always injured at some point. He’s 27, so not the youngest, and you have a younger Boudehent or Jégou behind.

    His physicality is incredible, but he didn’t prove he’s got hands. He just proved he was able to defend like a beast.

    But you know, even Cros has improved his handling skills lately, so it’s never too late!

    And he will play the Champions Cup with a solid Bayonne side, so let’s see!


    I don’t agree with ‘only Fischer’: Brennan proved he’s a great 4/7 utility player, and Galthié likes those very much (Woki or Flament). He’s 23, playing for Toulouse with high concurrence, so the prospect is good. I rate him higher than Auradou, who had a few games in the 6 Nations.

    For Depoortère, he had a more silent season than the previous one - injured at the worst moment during the Autumn Tests series - but came back strong with a Champions Cup and a solid partnership with Moefana. What could save him would be to start playing as a 12 when Moefana isn’t there, bulking up and become the new Jauzion.

    But he’s 22 and an incredible talent at 13. His height makes me think he had more potential than your fan favorite Costes or the utility player that is Gailleton.


    As for Montagne or Mallez, with the lack of quality in props, they could find a spot!

    Especially Mallez who’s got a good spot to get behind Baille at Toulouse. Neti isn’t the youngest and hasn’t an international level.


    And again, as Ugo Mola said, you never play with your best team.

    So 30-32 player is more of a 38-40, so you need back-ups.

    France knows very well how useful they can be during RWCs.

    235 Go to comments
    S
    Soliloquin 1 hour ago
    Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

    Hastoy was a good prospect before the 2023 RWC, he was the fly-half who led La Rochelle to the victory in the Champions Cup final in Dublin against Leinster.

    But he made it to the squad only because Ntamack got his ACL.

    He played against Uruguay, which a terribly poor game by the French side, and since then he declined a bit, alongside his club.

    Under the pressure of Reus and West at 10, he regained some credit at the end of the season (among all a drop at the 81st minute of a game).

    He’s quite good everywhere, but not outstanding.

    He doesn’t have the nerves, the defense and the tactical brain of Ntamack, the leadership and the creativity of Ramos or the exceptional attacking skills of Jalibert.


    I really hope that:

    -Ntamack will get his knee back. The surgery went well. He wasn’t the most elusive player in the world, but he was capable of amazing rushes like the one against NZ in 2021 or the Brennus-winning try in 2023.

    -Jalibert will continue to improve his defense. He started working hard since March (after his defensive disaster against England) with a XIII specialist, and I’ve seen great moments, especially against Ntamack in the SF of the Champions Cup. It’s never too late. And it would be a great signal for Galthié.

    -Hastoy will build up his partnership with Le Garrec, that La Rochelle will start a new phase with them and Niniashvili, Alldritt, Atonio, Boudehent, Jegou, Bosmorin, Bourgarit, Nowell, Wardi, Daunivucu, Kaddouri, Pacôme…

    235 Go to comments
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