Ashton and his Saracens make history
North London was celebrating a second Champions Cup victory in as many seasons on Saturdays, as Saracens pulled clear at the end of an epic encounter with Clermont. It was comfortably the most pulsating showpiece event since Leinster saw off Saints six years ago, with both sides contributing some wonderful attacking play and stout defence.
The champions started with intensity, putting the French pretenders on the back foot in terms of both possession and territory. After a long period of knocking on the door, Chris Ashton became the leading try-scorer in European history after latching onto Alex Goode’s neat kick through. George Kruis powered through soon after, and Sarries were starting to make their dominance felt on the scoreboard. However, Clermont (on their first meaningful attack) cut the gap to 12-7 through a surging Remi Lamerat score.
Saracens could have felt shellshocked, disheartened even. They had been far the better side in the opening half, but had allowed their opponents into the game. That’s not how a team like Saracens feels though. European player of the year, Owen Farrell, kicked them further into the lead on the resumption. Clermont were firing, though. They were blitzing the breakdown and turning the ball over at will. They got a breakthrough with one of the great European tries through Nick Abendanon, which made it a one point game. Farrell slotted another penalty, Morgan Parra responding with his own. It couldn’t have been tighter. Then, Scott Spedding made an enormous error on his own line: a gift to Saracens. They hammered away and Alex Goode carved through to take it beyond a score. Clermont had a penalty to reduce it immediately. It was missed. Owen Farrell kicked another with the dying embers of the game and the supporters in the stands at Murrayfield went wild. Although, by the sounds of it, Billy Vunipola was going to out-celebrate them all.
How much it will have taken out of them for their shot at a double-double remains to be seen. One thing is for sure: they are now one of the great European teams, and when you have that mentality, anything is possible. It is also scary that, apart from the centre combination, they have their best years ahead of them. Clermont, on the other hand, suffer another defeat in a major final (only one Top14 title to their name), which, for a club of their stature, is not good enough. I’m sure most people will be quietly hoping they win the French league, but in Europe, Saracens remain the benchmark.
Stade earn deserved Challenge Cup
Gloucester put in a valiant defensive performance, despite being well-beaten by Stade Francais in the Challenge Cup. The French side were good value for their first European silverware, winning 25-17. The result also means Gloucester are out of the running to compete in the Champions Cup next season (good news if you are a Saints fan).
Johnny May opened the scoring, with a classic intercept and dash routine, which was preceded by an outstanding pass from Sergio Parisse, that could have led to a try for the Parisians. Billy Burns extended the advantage with a penalty, completely against the run of play. Stade did level before the interval, as Parisse claimed a converted try and Jules Plisson added a penalty. After the break, Stade made more of an effort to make their statistical advantages count. Jonathan Danty and Geoffrey Doumayrou both crossed the whitewash to put the game beyond doubt. Ross Moriarty scored a late try, but it was nothing more than a consolation for the cherry and whites.
Crusaders continue Super Rugby crusade
In one of the crucial battles for supremacy in the competition, Crusaders broke clear after being level-pegging at half-time against Hurricanes. They added a try and two further penalties to win 20-12. Western Force caused a massive upset, beating Jaguares 16-6 in Argentina. Lions heaped further misery on Brumbies, winning 13-6 in the Australian capital. There were away victories for Reds and Highlanders against Rebels (29-24) and Bulls (17-10) respectively. Kings edged Sharks 35-32, whilst Blues saw off Cheetahs 50-32.
Hero of the week
He is often cast as the villain, but Chris Ashton deserves a lot of credit for breaking the record for try-scoring in Europe. He always seems to pop up at the right times and Saracens will miss him. I’d imagine there will be plenty more Ash Splashes on French turf next year.
Villain of the week
Key moments decide outcomes in big games, whether they be good or bad. Unfortunately for Clermont, two of their keys players had disasters when the game was very much in the balance. Firstly, Scott Spedding’s needless, one-handed knock on from a pick up on his own line that led to Alex Goode’s try. Then, Camille Lopez missed a relatively straightforward kick, which would have kept them in the game. With those two moments, Clermont were broken.
Try of the week
He’d have wanted more than a mere ‘Try of the week’ accolade, but Nick Abendanon’s score in the Champions Cup Final was an absolute delight. Starting with Scott Spedding’s vision to break out from his own 22, the ball was kept alive with fluidity and precision. Space was created and exploited in a killer fashion, leading to Abendanon streaking down the touch-line for the five points. To do this in the biggest final outside of the World Cup, against a team like Saracens, was absolutely sublime.
Discussion points
– For how long will Saracens dominate Europe?
– Will Clermont ever get over the line in the Champions Cup?
– Which teams are well poised to challenge next season?
– What do Gloucester need to add to be more consistent?
– What were your Super Rugby highlights of the weekend?
By Joe Large
Can I just throw a quick one in on Nigel Owens who, despite being lauded as the best ref in the world, for me bottled two maybe three yellow cards with much of Clermonts dominance at the breakdown being because of the way they were allowed to get away with a variety of misdemeanours.
Is it just me but is Nigels look at me, pithy outdone shtick becoming fearsome?
Agreed; Clermont gave away 2 or 3 penalties, a few yards from their own try line, for slowing the ball in the ruck which should have been penalised more harshly. A few other instances of playing the ball whilst clearly on the floor which went completely unpunished as well.
Also agree. He’s a good ref, but his reputation and high-profile means that his performances aren’t scrutinised in the same way as other referees.
I didn’t see it, but it sounds like Gloucester were slightly aggrieved by the ref on Friday night?
I’ve long thought that Nigel Owens has fogotten the cardinal rule of being a ref – remember that the crowd are not paying to see you.
If further evidence were needed, this game provided it. Because he somehow believes himself above the guidance that other refs abide by, Clermont got away with at least 2 yellow cards, perhaps three.
His prima-donna attitude to reffing allowed a weaker team to infringe repeatedly in their own 22, knowing the most they would give away would be a penalty. It allowed them back in the game when under any ref, Saracens would have finished them. Had they managed a sneaky win, it would have been a travesty.
Mr Owens needs to remember that the best refs are the ones the crowd rarely notice as the game flows around them. Not the ones making ‘witty’ remarks in the centre of the field.
Pablito, I don’t understand the connection between your assessment of him as a prima donna and Clermont getting away with penalties. The two don’t seem to be linked.
Even if he did referee in a way that others wouldn’t, his standards would still apply to both teams. As ever there is a degree to which teams have to adapt to what the ref is doing, that isn’t specific to Owens.
JK – apparently he does not like to issue yellow cards. Which is fine in itself. No one likes a card-happy ref.
However, repeated deliberate infringements in the ‘red’ zone are meant to receive yellow cards. There is an absolutely valid reason for this. On Saturday, Owen’s refusal to give yellow cards not only allowed Clermont to illegally stop Saracens on multiple occasions but also allowed them to escape the further sanction of losing a player – or more.
This does not apply to teams equally, as it will always benefit the weaker team, who are much more likely to be in the position where such infringements are necessary to prevent tries. Had Owens given the more than deserved yellow cards (or bothered to look at Abendanon’s deliberate knock-on), then
Saracens would have finished Clermont off far earlier.
As I say, had Clermont managed to sneak a win, it would have been a travesty due to poor refereeing.
Totally agree Pablito.
I watched the Gloucester game and can’t remember specifics but I was getting pretty wound up by John Lacey’s refereeing. Seemed to benefit Stade again and again.
Disagree. As with players, Refs can have a bit of an off game – and when they can only work with what they see and what their touch judges inform them of, they can still miss things that the TV may see from another angle.
I didn’t think he had a bad game personally – barring one or two close calls that he overlooked, and he did get the call right on other equally tight incidents that could have gone differently. I think instead it is kudos (grudgingly given) to the Clermont pack for playing the breakdown to the brink of what they could get away with, and having more luck than usual! ‘Thou shalt not get caught’ etc.
Speaking as a Sarries fan I would firstly like to say how proud I am of an amazing group of players.
Their mental togetherness is what pulls them through these tough games. It was a fantastic game of rugby and both sides were good in defence and exciting in attack.
Can Sarries pull off another win this weekend and still have enough to win the final? I don’t know. Exeter have been getting better all season and will have learnt from last years final defeat. All I know is it will be a great game on Saturday and I will predict now that whoever wins that semi final will win the final.
Like Dazza immensely proud of what the boys have achieved, the little wobble by Rhodes aside, they never let themselves get phased and have amazing resilience and self belief.
There were some walking wounded after that one and to be able to bounce back and beat a very strong Exeter side away would require a Herculean effort but if any team could do it it’s Sarries.
Lots of changes coming next season for us and losing Ash is going to hurt but hopefully Williams will add something different.
Would second the Nigel Owens comments. it almost felt like he thinks himself too good to rely on the TMO as well. I remember at least one high tackle for which he instantly said “penalty only”, despite it not looking that way on replays, also completely going against the supposed crack down on high tackles brought in at the start of the year!
On a more positive, it’s scary how young the core of this experienced Saracens team is, they could dominate for the next 5 years (maybe even longer considering the quality their academy keeps churning out!).
how do you think they would do against the NZ Super teams? Their defence is almost certainly better, and they do have a quality attack when required…
How would this Sarries team do against the All Blacks? Better than the Lions scratch team?
That’s a tough one.
Saracens are very much better than the sum of their parts, much of their back line have been considered not good enough for the international scene (Ashton, Wigglesworth, Goode, Barritt etc) yet through great drilling and training are collectively amazing.
Lions are, as you said, a scratch team so inherently the opposite, individually great yet no time to train together.
All Blacks have the best of both worlds, individually great and incredibly well drilled! I think eventually All Blacks would edge it but what a game it would be!
All Blacks to only edge it against a club side
Careful you’re gonna give DonP carpal tunnel syndrome. I’m not sure which would be smoking more his ears or his keyboard
I’ll let you know when I see what team Gatland chooses.
How would Sarries fare against the NZ Super Rugby teams. Pretty decently I think. Only the Crusaders would come close to them in the forwards. And importantly, SR teams rarely face a defence as organised, clever and as committed as the Saracen’s defence.
It would be a game I’d pay good money to watch but I think Saracens would have the beating of all but the Crusaders. I’d still put a bet on Sarries but the result would be up in the air.
I would like to see the Lions (Johannesburg) play Sarries at a neutral venue. that would be a game. the Crusaders would thump Sarries. In this years super competition the Crusaders have scored a total of 366 points and had 231 scored against them. Personally I reckon the Crusaders would thump the majority of national teams playing today. I’m not talking about Italy, Georgia. Canada. I’m talking about the top national teams from the N & S. Finally I’m a Saffer not a Kiwi.
Made me wonder once again what Goode has to do to get picked for England. Superb awareness and running lines and solid in the air. May not bring quite Brown’s aggression but a class player who has worked hard on previous weaknesses.
He could try being 19 years old, playing in the Championship. That gets you recognition.
Just not a good fit for style of play and doesn’t step up his performances for England
Agree with Leon.
JK – would have agreed with you but I see that EJ has selected Willi Heinz for the England training camp. And having seen the list of those at the training camp, I no longer claim to have any clue whatsoever as to what EJ is doing
Goode does display some impressive form for club (not as high a standard as last season but still decent) but he has been found wanting each time he is called up to England. I think he is a good/great club player, just not once destined to make the step up to International.
Lions team after European finals and last round of premiership.
Mcgrath
George
Furlong
Itoje
Kruis
Stander
Warburton
Billy
Murray
Sexton
Watson
Henshaw
Daley
Williams
Hogg
Replacements
Mako
Owens
Coles
Lawes
O,Brian
Webb
Farrell
Nowell
Your thoughts please
Not sure Coles would switch allegiance to cover tighthead from the bench.
You don’t start Farrell?
C’mon, you’ve got to be seriously one eyed not to.pick him at 10 after the weekend game, surely.
If he doesn’t start, the all blacks breathe a huge sigh of relief.
Agreed Jeremy.
He could easily be guessing Garland’s team. The best 10-12 pairing to me would be Sexton and Farrell, both have shown that they excel with a second playmaker (Carberry & Ford respectively) beside them. But considering Gatland is unlikely to play that, I’d rather have Sexton start and bring Farrell on after the inevitable injury.
Slightly related, as an Ireland & Leinster fan, I honestly wish someone would tell Sexton to just take a 12 month sabbatical, like McCaw or Pocock. The time in France left apparently his body broken and he needs either a season or a calendar year to just try recover from that….
Willi Heinz has been selected for England’s camp? Is that a mistake?
Just read the reports, that is a strange squad !!
Despite the mistakes he made, I think Owens also made some very good calls too, for example when he ruled Lopez’s? (I think?) knock-on to be unintentional.
Saracens are phenomenal, though I do think 3 of the NZ clubs are better. Still wouldn’t bet against them going three in a row!
I’d say a global ranking would be something like:
Crusaders
Hurricanes
Chiefs
Saracens
Highlanders
Clermont
Lions
Leinster
Stormers
Exeter.
With (Auckland) Blues, Munster, Wasps and a couple French teams unlucky to miss out.
Jeremy and Andy by not starting Farrell doesn’t mean I don’t think he is a superb player he is just not as good a 10 as Sexton or 12 as Henshaw or Teo Fact
I’m sorry but you can not now make the argument for Sexy in being a better 10 than Faz. In fact I’d go as far to say that if Faz plays ten vs Barrett you’ll go someway to deciding the best 10 in world rugby. And that’s something I fully expect Owen to come out top in.
Sexton is a very good 10, don’t get me wrong but for me he doesn’t have the all round game Owen does (how many times did he get Ireland really going over last two seasons. In fact I’d say Paddy Jackson is the better Irish offensive 10.)
Owens game just get better and better.
Sorry, Barrett would wipe the floor with anyone right now, Farrell wouldn’t stand a chance. Farrell may win on placekicking, that’s it.
And defense. And sheer bloody-mindedness. And probably tactical kicking (not attacking kicking)
Barrett is a sublime player when it comes to attacking, but he looked much more mortal when the Crusaders defence got in his face. He won’t have the time or space against the Lions to look as good as he does in Super Rugby – that’s not to say he won’t be brilliant, but the somewhat less intense defenses in SR do make his skills stand out that bit more.
Think you are wrong in all three cases Seve, but particularly at 12 where Teo and Henshaw are not in the same class. He is also a much more abrasive and resilient 10 than Sexton which will be important in NZ.