Snubbed England star inspires Saracens to victory over Sale
Alex Goode produced a virtuoso performance to celebrate his entry into Saracens’ history books but it was Theo McFarland who did most to ensure the occasion was marked by victory over Sale.
Saracens cemented their place at the summit of the Gallagher Premiership with a 33-22 win at StoneX Stadium after they recovered from a shaky start to boss the team placed one spot below them in the table.
In honour of making a record 339th appearance for the club, Goode was given a guard of honour that included World Cup winners Francois Pienaar and Michael Lyangh and it was his dynamic solo try that initially turned the tide.
The 34-year-old former England full-back was influential throughout, making a seamless transition from full-back to fly-half when Manu Vunipola was injured, but McFarland stole the show.
One terrific catch and two devastating breaks, the first of which swept him over the whitewash, continued the Samoan lock’s brilliant start to the season.
Nine players across both teams were missing to England duty, while Saracens’ duo Owen Farrell and Jamie George were injured, but there were still plenty of highlights, including a spirited Sharks fightback that ultimately fell short.
Sale brought their forward power to bear in a ominous start that produced a try for Ben Curry from a line-out, but that was soon eclipsed by a moment of magic from Goode.
The score started with McFarland’s towering gather of the restart but it was Goode, acting as first receiver, who provided the magic as he spotted a gap and accelerated clear to touch down.
Problems began to mount for Saracens, however, as Goode was forced to switch positions before conceding a penalty try as Sale poured forward from a line-out.
To compound matters, Ben Earl was sin-binned for going in at the side on his debut as captain.
For all their control of the match, Sale led just 15-8 when Elliot Daly landed a long-range penalty and on the half-hour mark McFarland was responsible for another moment of brilliance that saw the scores levelled.
Alex Lozowski made the initial inroads before later feeding McFarland who slipped around Robert du Preez before showing remarkable athleticism to canter over the line.
Goode kicked the conversion and added a penalty as Saracens took the lead for the first time.
The advantage grew early in the second-half when Goode won a turnover and once Nick Tompkins had showed his dancing feet to bring the move to life, Saracens’ playmaker sent over the marauding Earl.
Daly kicked a 60-metre penalty but was then sin-binned for taking Du Preez out in the air and Tompkins followed him for a dangerous tackle, reducing Saracens to 13 men for three minutes.
The pressure eventually told when full-back Joe Carpenter went over and Sale were now dominant, although they were denied what looked like a certain try by spilling over the line.
The Sharks had wasted their final throw of the dice as Saracens drove downfield where Goode – who was inevitably named man of the match – grubbered for Tompkins to score.
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It certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
Go to commentsHis best years were 2018 and he wasn't good enough to win the World Cup in 2023! (Although he was voted as the best player in the world in 2023)
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