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For the second time so early on in the season, Saracens have put their fans through the emotional wringer. Just a week removed from the late comeback victory over Harlequins, Owen Farrell’s conversion secured a 41-39 win over Gloucester Rugby, in the final kick of the match.
With the match fiercely contested down to the wire, it ended with heartache for Gloucester. The Cherry and Whites led by 12 points with five minutes left on the clock, before Saracens scored twice. Tom Woolstencroft’s delightful double was achieved as the replacement hooker grounded two rolling mauls. So, after an unforgettable third round match in the Gallagher Premiership, here are the five things we learned from this timeless clash at the Stone X Stadium.
1. Owen is Evergreen on his Birthday.
On the day he turns 31-years-old, Owen Farrell gifted the Saracens faithful with an exemplary performance of what it means to be a captain. By traditional rugby standards, Farrell is on the eclipse of entering the twilight of his prime, yet his leadership qualities remained as polished as the day he was first given the ‘armband’.
With pack leader Maro Itoje’s absence causing issues in Sarries’ defensive structure and set piece (more on that later), Farrell flawlessly orchestrated the attack for Saracens. He linked up with Max Malins for a blistering score after just three minutes and integrated a neatly worked move for Ben Earl’s later try.
His decision making to opt for penalties off the tee throughout the game, kept Saracens within touching distance of Gloucester’s lead. Farrell once again stepped up when it mattered the most and slotted the decisive kick. Gloucester’s Head Coach George Skivington said how he “knew he was going to kick it; I had packed my bags at that point.” when the England fly-half stepped up to take the match-deciding conversion.
2. Val Rapava Ruskin Shines on his Century
When Harry Erlington was forced off the pitch due to an early injury, Val Rapava-Ruskin ran out at the Stone X Stadium to the tune of “Another One Bites the Dust”, courtesy of the Saracens’ brass band. Making his 100th appearance for Gloucester, the 29-year-old put in an inspired performance that featured two tries, and a clattering collision with a Vunipola.
Rapava-Ruskin’s first try was the coolant to Saracen’s fiery start. With 20 minutes surpassed, he picks from the back of a ruck, and was driven over in the corner by an army of sky-blue shirts. His second try came off the back off a rolling maul, as he neatly spun through contact, and dived to ground the ball just before the hour mark.
However, the highlight reel worthy moment, was when the 124kg front rower made a break and tip-toed his way through the Saracens defensive line. He then saw space in the back field, and sent a kick deep into Sarries’ territory for his teammates to chase. The ball was eventually gathered by Gloucester’s fly half Adam Hastings, who scored in the corner. After his kick, Billy Vunipola charged in slightly late with his shoulder, yet Rapava-Ruskin stood unfazed by the shot. The England Number Eight then crumpled to the floor, having come off far worse!
George Skivington said: ” I thought he was great, he came on after 15 minutes into the game, he missed a bit of pre-season, we’ve been building him in slowly, and giving him bits of game time, that definitely wasn’t the plan. But I thought he was outstanding, we asked him before the game, you’re going to have to work hard here, and I thought Val worked extremely hard, and had some great moments.”
3. Itoje’s influence was missed in the Saracens defence.
This is in no way downplaying the attacking prowess of Gloucester today, yet the presence of Maro Itoje in the Saracens pack would have slowed Gloucester’s attacking speed. His defensive presence was sorely missed, as his disruptive turn-over speciality would have helped curtail Gloucester, as they achieved full gear.
Most noticeably, the two tries which were scored back-to-back early in the second half, by Chris Harris and Adam Hastings. After the British Lion scored just four minutes after the re-start, Saracens had quickly blown their half-time lead, and stood stunned under the posts. Arguments broke out, as the North Londoners were now chasing the game. This lapse in concentration enabled the aforementioned kick from Rapava-Ruskin to exploit the backfield for Hastings to gather and ground, for to two tries in quick succession.
Tempers were raised and communications continued to break down, with Saracens conceding a third unanswered second half try just seven minutes later, as Rapava-Ruskin grounded the rolling maul. This was certainly a rare sight to witness at the Stone X, and Saracens could certainly have benefited from Itoje’s leadership in defence.
4. Albert Tuisue is a threat, yet more time is needed before the Fijian flies for Gloucester
The Saracens supporters held their breath, as Mark Atkinson popped the ball up, for Albert Tuisue to run on to at great pace. Yet the ball ricocheted off his chest, and the knock on was awarded to Saracens. This frustrating movement captured the first half an hour, for those keen to see Gloucester’s new signing shine in the London sun.
Yet joining a new club is a working process, as George Skivington explains; “He’s been brilliant, you’ve seen his physicality. Albert will get better and better as he learns the systems, and the boys, and Gloucester. He’s a brilliant bloke, he’s fit in really well, and you can see there that he is already fighting hard, like a Gloucester Rugby player should.”
As play neared the end of the first half, Tuisue began to bring the Pacific Island flair which made him so popular at London Irish. A battering-ram that fending off a pair of Saracens defenders, got the travelling supporters on their feet. This was built upon as Tuisue grounded a rolling maul to score in the corner, in the final play of the first half.
When taking orders from his scrum half conductors, Tuisue seemed to have a stricter position-orientated role when Ben Meehan was on the pitch, and enjoyed a freer rein when Charlie Chapman came off the bench. This reflects the full throttle energy that Champman brings to the Cherry and Whites, which can benefit such a versatile player. It was an interesting showing from Tuisue today, the impressive physical presence is there, yet the 29-year-old is still visibly learning the ropes at Kingsholm.
5: A tale of two ‘twos’: Jack Singleton and Tom Woolstencroft star for their sides.
For a fixture that features Jamie George, it speaks volumes to come away from the Stone X talking about two other stand out performances at hooker. In the first half, Jack Singleton put in an impressive performance against his former club.
Regathering himself after a shaky start in the scrum, Singleton ignored the internationals and took charge of the front row. Saracens gave away numerous penalties at the scrum, as Singleton edged the battle up-front. He carried hard into contact, and kept things simple with traditional South-Western front ball lineouts. And in the final play of the first half, his throw-in established a great position for a rolling maul, to finally drive Saracens back as Tuisue grounded the try.
Tom Woolstencroft was Mark McCall’s super-sub today, coming onto the pitch soon after Singleton made way for Santiago Socino. Dictating the set-pieces right from the off, Woolstencroft was essential in Saracens’ eventual fight-back. He took over the reins from Jamie George, made the correct calls at each high-pressure line-out, before scoring the all-important final brace of tries.
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