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maybe those days Saracens As Investec Champions League Power is not as far away as it seems. Seven years on from their last European title, this was a game worth savoring, with the hosts roaring with old-school attitude in a monumental win. Toulouse.
Last week, director of rugby Mark McCall interpreted his side’s riotous behavior after an apparently feeble defeat at Leicester City as lacking the wolfpack mentality that has seen his side win the title three times in four seasons. In the glorious glory days. Here, that mentality returns most forcefully as a cohesive group triumphs over Antoine Dupont, Jack Willis Others gave the hosts an easier route into the latter stages than the visitors’ route.
Saracens won 20-14 to move third in Group One and have a chance to go top with a bonus-point win against Glasgow next weekend. If Toulouse proves that such a feat is far from straightforward, then back-to-back defeats against a side considered to be a strong side have left Hugo Moura’s side looking miles away from the top two and progress at home against Sale is simply not guaranteed.
“The frustrating thing about this year is that we haven’t turned up in the way we’re used to,” Saracens captain Maro Itoje reflected after an honest meeting between players and staff this week. “One of the things about our team is that we are very reflective and somewhat transparent. We didn’t hide or avoid anything. We talked about how we felt, where we were as a team and what we needed to do to be better.
“No weak team can win the Champions League. Every successful team has courage and resilience. That’s what we need to make sure we have as a team.”
If not a sermon of high quality or quantity to attract agnostics, it’s the old-fashioned arm wrestling that once made the game so beloved across the country. Schedules and weather were not kind to the crowds who came to the once quiet cathedral, but they arrived in droves and in good spirits. Toulouse There’s a distinct twang underneath the Saracen chorus. Earlier on Sunday, the Storm’s so-far undefeated second unit was outscored by 61 points by Harlequins, which illustrated the worst of the game – This is much better.
It’s a sign of the wealth the visitors have in their squad that they are without three starting international defenders Angel Capuozo, Juan Cruz Marilla and Matias Remu, but they can still draw on players who could fill the No. 15 jersey for Scotland and France when the Six Nations begins in a month’s time.
One might argue that Blair Kinghorn and Tomas Ramos are a playmaking partnership, but Toulouse’s creative core lies in the No. 9. Dupont has been back to his best in recent weeks after a long break and has tried out a lot of moves and techniques, some working and some not so much. It was these three who came together to create the first try, capping off a first quarter in which the visitors had dominated in a whirlwind: Dupont to Ramos and then swiftly to the arriving Kinghorn, who marched forward unscathed.
But even great men have their moments of death. In the cold and wet, Saracens fans had little to shout about until Theo McFarland latched on to Dupont’s kick and used his long limbs to scoop up the remaining rubble. After a few phases, Rotimi Segun was sent to the left corner. The shift in momentum might have been more pronounced had Alex Lozowski collected a Gruber from Fergus Burke after a high-flying half-way break in his 22nd, but the 32-year-old soon made amends as he burst into space to create Segun’s second chance.
Saracens extended their half-time advantage to 10 points when Tom Willis was knocked down with a punch from close range during an early scuffle with his brother Jack. As the wind started to turn in Toulouse’s favour, it felt necessary and it didn’t take long for Matisse Lebel to close the gap again.
Toulouse’s depth is evident, but this is a Saracens side that includes the last three England captains and is arguably the strongest on the bench. Owen Farrell and Ben Earl Coming together in the 53rd minute – the former quickly earning a penalty – and their sense of the big game, and their tireless captain Maro ItojeThat proved to be key as the home side made the conditions work to perfection in the final 20 minutes. While Toulouse went for the try they needed without the care and attention they deserved, there was plenty to feast on for Wolves to secure a statement win.
Elsewhere, Salesi Rayasi’s hat-trick helped Bordeaux Begle defeated 50-28 northampton saints exist A repeat of last year’s final.
Despite a brace from Henry Pollock, the defending champions moved to the top of Group 4 with help from the visitors, who were jeered by the home fans after the game. His violent clashes with Bordeaux players During last season’s final in Cardiff.
muenster In a fierce confrontation, the team lost 27-25. toulon Marius Domon converted the winning penalty with five minutes remaining at Stadio Felix Mayor, while Marcus Smith was outstanding as Harlequins beat almost every Springbok player in the Storm’s 61-10 victory.
