Route one for Sarries

Saracens have guaranteed themselves a place in the Heineken Cup quarter-finals for the first time after easing to a 45-16 Pool Four victory against Biarritz at Vicarage Road.

After a difficult start in which the home side found the Biarritz defence difficult to break down, Sarries eventually came good, with two tries in the second half from Chris Jack and one from Rodd Penney complementing Hugh Vyvyan's score in the opening period.

Vyvyan and Jack were needed to give their all by Saracens in the face of - initially at least - such solid opposition. Biarritz employed men across the line rather than around the ruck and it took time for the home side to respond.

But respond Saracens did, a more direct approach being much in evidence in the second period as they increasingly dominated play and ultimately secured a deserving bonus-point victory.

Both coaches were doubtless unhappy with the number of errors made in the opening minutes, but, with turnovers aplenty, the other side of the coin would be to suggest that the rugby on show was open and entertaining.

But, in the first half at least, it did not last. Saracens' first real territory came with a penalty taken deep after 12 minutes - Benoit August having punched Glen Jackson.

With the home side taking the opportunity to encamp themselves in the French side's half, another penalty was converted by the fly-half in front of the posts four minutes later to put the first points on the board.

Charged down

But their lead lasted only a matter of seconds when, dealing with Biarritz's kick-off, Andy Farrell's attempted clearance was instead charged down, with Romain Cabannes following up to touch down and Julien Dupuy kicking the extras.

Dupuy then made the score 10-3 with a long-range effort which found its target from just inside the Sarries' half. Alan Gaffney's side then put together a string of phases but Biarritz's defence remained resolute until, eventually, they managed the turnover.

The half-hour saw Saracens' hearts in mouths again, this time it being captain Neil de Kock's turn to be charged down - Biarritz flanker Trevor Hall perhaps lacking the pace to latch on to the loose ball.

Still up against a defence that refused to allow a way through, Saracens nevertheless needed more points on the board and a breakthrough of sorts came when Jackson kicked his second penalty with three minutes remaining in the opening period.

Inroads

However, the inroads made were promptly negated when Dupuy found the target with a penalty just one minute later.

The visitors had looked to be holding on to their seven-point advantage through to half time, but the scores were levelled right on the whistle when, after a break from Jackson, Vyvyan took route one through to score, with Jackson kicking the extras.

And, for a brief moment, it seemed as though Saracens had scored either side of the interval: following a turnover, fine work from prop Nick Lloyd set up a Saracens break which resulted in Richard Haughton going over.

However, the winger was adjudged to have knocked on by the video referee. Vyvyan then almost touched down a replica of his earlier effort; instead a penalty resulted, with Jackson handing the home side the lead.

Again Saracens were putting phases together but, unlike in the first half, they now looked capable of converting possession into points. Players were out wide for the second score on 52 minutes, but they were not needed as Jack carved his way through on an angled run.

A bite was taken out of the 10-point advantage when Dupuy kicked a penalty just before the hour but Saracens went further ahead moments later when de Kock's flick from the scrum set up Penney, the winger shimmying his way past several challenges to the line.

Jackson kicked the extras, with Biarritz ill-discipline then allowing him to convert for the seventh time with just over 10 minutes remaining.

With the bonus point to play for, Saracens received a boost when Serge Betsen was yellow-carded after 75 minutes. And, after a short period of deliberation, it came when Jack went over for his second, a penalty try then sealing the victory deep in injury time.