Investec Champions Cup Pool 1
Saracens (17) 20
Tries: Segun 2, T Willis Con: Burke Pen: Farrell
Toulouse (7) 14
Tries: Kinghorn, Lebel Cons: Ramos 2
Saracens produced an oustanding performance in testing conditions to beat Toulouse 20-14 and all but secure their place in the last 16 of the Champions Cup.
Saracens held a blunt review of their stuttering season after a poor defeat at Leicester last weekend.
Director of rugby Mark McCall said the players had “confronted what was wrong” and were ready to “do the talking on the field” against the mighty six-time European champions.
They fronted up to the star-studded Toulouse side, producing a gutsy display with number eight Tom Willis giving another stellar performance.
Things looked ominous when Toulouse fly-half Blair Kinghorn scored the opening try, but Sarries scored three tries in quick succession to take a 17-7 lead at half-time at the StoneX.
Wing Rotimi Segun sped over for two of the tries while Willis, who will leave Saracens to play for Bordeaux next season, powered over for the other.
Toulouse scored early in the second half but with conditions deteriorating rapidly, and Antoine Dupont strangely quiet, they lacked their usual fluency in attack.
Facing a strong wind and playing into driving rain, Owen Farrell came on to lend his experience and the former England captain stretched the lead to six points with a penalty.
Toulouse tried to rally but Saracens held on to secure a famous win and will bid for top spot in Pool 1 when they face group leaders Glasgow Warriors away next Sunday.
More soon.
Saracens: Daly; Caluori, Lozowski, Hartley, Segun; Burke,Van Zyl; Mawi, George, Street, Itoje (capt), Tizard, McFarland, Gonzalez, Willis.
Replacements: Hadfield, Carre, Riccioni, Onyeama-Christie,Earl, Bracken, Farrell, Malins.
Toulouse: Ramos; Delibes, Costes, Chocobares, Lebel; Kinghorn, Dupont (capt); Ainu’u, Marchand, Aldegheri, Flament, Meafou, Willis, Jelonch, Roumat.
Replacements: Mauvaka, Bertrand, Mallez, Brennan, Elias, Banos, Graou, Vigneres.
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Ita)
Assistant referees: Ru Campbell (Sco), Federico Vedovelli (Ita)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (Ita)
