Saracens player ratings: Noah Caluori ‘rules the skies again’ while debutant and England snub impress
Saracens wing Noah Caluori and hooker James Hadfield impressed.
Following a 47-10 victory for Saracens over Clermont in their Investec Champions Cup clash at the StoneX Stadium, here’s our player ratings for Mark McCall’s men.
The backs
15 Elliot Daly: Did wonderfully to manoeuvre the ball onto his left boot for a kick that sat up for Lucio Cinti for the game’s first try. Is dovetailing nicely with Owen Farrell as a kicking option at the moment and expertly set up Hugh Tizard for his try late in the game. 8
14 Noah Caluori: Ruled the skies once again, winning the aerial battle that led to Cinti crossing. He went close to getting a first half try and was a genuine handful throughout, eventually getting his score early in the second as he scorched past Alex Newsome. Replaced on 53 minutes for a well-earned break as he departed to loud cheers. 8
13 Lucio Cinti: Was the most alert to chase down a seeming lost cause from Daly’s kick ahead but got his reward as the ball was on a plate for him to stroll over. Showed good fight to get his way to the line for his second try. 8
12 Nick Tompkins: Such an underrated player. He was the glue of the Saracens backline, doing the unseen work while others took the headlines. 7
11 Max Malins: Went close to scoring early on but was denied by a soccer-like Clermont slide tackle but later got his reward, half-volleying a cross-kick downfield and never giving up the chase in an ultimately successful footrace. Will be upset at being beaten on the outside by Axel Guillaud for his try. 6
10 Owen Farrell: An overall assured performance at fly-half as he took the right options. His kicking game was on point as he set up Malins and almost did the same for Caluori prior to that. Replaced on the hour by Fergus Burke. 7
9 Ivan van Zyl: An armchair ride for the captain at the base in the first half as the likes of Tom Willis provided the go-forward. It was then a case of letting his backline do their thing. Simple but effective rugby. However, his error early in the second period led to his side leaking a try. 6
The forwards
8 Tom Willis: Incredible turnover in the first half and a colossal force around the field with ball in hand. Saracens will sorely miss the Bordeaux-bound number eight next season. For now though he is signing off in impressive fashion. 7
7 Andy Onyeama-Christie: Might remember this game for accidentally clattering into referee Hollie Davidson but elsewhere he was a ball of energy on the openside. 6
6 Theo McFarland: At full stretch at the tail for the lineout take that led to Caluori racing over in the second but otherwise it was a strangely quiet afternoon from this special talent. 6
5 Hugh Tizard: Good hassling work of the Clermont half-backs early on almost led to Malins scoring early on. Elsewhere, the England snub once again caught the eye in all facets and got his reward late on as Daly put him over for a comical try he and his team-mates enjoyed. 8
4 Nick Isiekwe: Physical around the field and a solid lineout option for his team. Enjoyed his start today and combined nicely with Player of the Match Tizard. 6
3 Marcus Street: Pinged at scrum time in the first half but a solid day at the office either side of that. Was part of the Saracens front-row that was replaced on 45 minutes. 5
2 James Hadfield: Solid arrows at the lineout and took his try in the closing stages of the first half well. On his first start in the Investec Champions Cup, Hadfield will be delighted with his showing. 7
1 Rhys Carre: Nothing flash from the Wales international but like Street it was solid enough from the starting front-rower. 5
Replacements: Decent impact from the bench as Theo Dan crossed and Eroni Mawi and Harry Wilson also provided punch around the field. 6