Champions Cup Feature Match - Saracens vs. Toulouse

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On a blustery night in North London Saracens continued their 100% record for the season with a victory over four time European Champions Toulouse. The night after such tragic events back in France you have to wonder if Toulouse’s players were able to fully focus on the task at hand? Of course they are professional sportsmen however the alarming scenes that they witnessed so far from home are likely to have shaken them and if truth be told it was evident in their performance. 

In the opening half Saracens dominated all facets of the game from the scrum to the aerial battle with Owen Farrell in particular excelling. Toulouse simply couldn't get a grasp of the decision making of referee George Clancy and it cost them dearly as Farrell's radar off the tee was also tuned to perfection. 

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The flowing rugby that we had witnessed from Toulouse in the opening rounds of the Top 14 was non existent and instead they struggled to gain any continuity. In contrast Saracens looked comfortable with the ball in hand and turned through the phases nicely. Saracens aren't always known for their heads up rugby however in the drizzle they wound up nicely and had there not been a few basic handling errors they would have wrapped up the bonus point before half time. As it was the scoreline read 27-0 and it looked as if 40 minutes would be ample time for the home side to score two further tries take maximum points from the night.

Mark McCall’s side erupted out of the blocks after half time and scored within two minutes. The 5 points were put next to Chris Wyles' name however it all started from one of the easiest interceptions that Brad Barritt will take in his career.

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Toulouse’s only profit, in terms of points, from the night came on 50 minutes when they finally found themselves with a spot of field position to play with. Ugo Mola’s pack took matters into their own hands preferring to keep the ball in tight and replacement Christopher Tolofua bulldozed over at close range. In all honesty Toulouse never looked liked scoring again however they did do a great job at disrupting Saracens' set piece and defended with vigour to keep the home side out. 

Of course there will be questions asked regarding whether or not it was right to play the match given the horrendous events that unfolded in Paris on Friday night. Could Toulouse’s players really focus on a European fixture after watching such alarming scenes unfolding back in their own country? Personally I doubt it, however the decision was made with full consultation with the club. It would be doing Saracens a disservice to not credit the quality of the rugby, as they have done with so many clubs this season they didn't let Toulouse settled into the game for a moment. 

In Round 2 Saracens head to a place that they know well, Ravenhill, to face Ulster while Toulouse face Oyonnax back at the Stade Toulousain. If this performance had been delivered on any other weekend then it would have been hailed as one of the great European victories however given the backdrop the 32-7 result must be contextualised and therefore dampened slightly.