Saracens book knockout spot, Glasgow stay in touch

Editor

Saracens bounced back from last week’s Premiership defeat to Sale by beating Lyon 28-10, sealing their Champions Cup knockout progression.

It was by no means a flawless showing and the visitors still look well off their best form, but a spot in the quarter-finals has to be applauded.

Nick Tompkins (2), Jackson Wray and Ben Spencer’s scores sealed the bonus-point win that puts them on 23 points ahead of hosting Glasgow.

Pierre Mignoni’s Lyon, who came into this match pointless in their pool campaign, suffer a fifth defeat as they struggled for any penetration.

Saracens meanwhile entered the game desperate to avoid another dismal run of results similar to what they suffered around this time last season. But they have shown resilience by responding and their European record of five wins from five means they are four points clear of their Scottish rivals.

Tompkins crossed first for Saracens after a fine side-step on 22 minutes, this after Lyon’s Jonathan Wisniewski struck an early drop-goal. And Saracens doubled their score 10 minutes later when quick ball led to a lovely inside pass that sent flanker Wray under the uprights for a welcome 14-3 advantage.

Saracens had their third try three minutes into the second period when Tompkins powered over through the Lyon forward pack. Despite losing Maro Itoje to the sin-bin for a deliberate slap down, the home side would also be without a player for 10 minutes following replacement Albertus Buckle’s stamp.

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Still Sarries continued to chase the bonus-point and it came three minutes later as Alex Goode found Spencer on his shoulder for an easy stroll over for 28-3. Despite Lyon having the final say on 70 minutes when wing Alexis Palisson crossed, it was far too late as they were comprehensively defeated.

In the pool’s other game, Glasgow Warriors set up a winner-take-all meeting with Saracens next week after they beat Cardiff Blues 33-24.

It was a thrilling game at Scotstoun as scores from Grant Stewart, Scott Cummings, Chris Fusaro, Oli Kebble and George Horne sealed five points for the Warriors. Owen Lane (2), Harri Millard and Josh Navidi crossed for the brave Blues, whose campaign is over as their fourth loss cuts them adrift of the pack.