Owen Farrell stars as Saracens sweep Exeter aside
By PA Sport
Last Updated: 27/03/16 11:28pm
England heroes Billy Vunipola and Owen Farrell both scored as Saracens reclaimed top spot in the Aviva Premiership with an emphatic 36-18 win over Exeter.
England boss Eddie Jones looked on at Allianz Park, with a third of his Grand Slam-winning team - Farrell, Vunipola, his brother Mako, Maro Itoje and George Kruis - all starting following last Saturday's Paris triumph against France.
Full-back Alex Goode, flanker Jackson Wray and wing Chris Wyles also touched down for Saracens, while Farrell kicked three conversions and a penalty, with Goode adding the extras to Wyles' 75th-minute effort.
Exeter - whose points came from number eight Thomas Waldrom's ninth and 10th league tries of the season, two Gareth Steenson penalties and a late Will Hooley conversion - could have few complaints after they were outgunned in the key areas by a Farrell-inspired home team.
And on this latest evidence, a European and Premiership double looks a realistic aim for Sarries, even though it will require a monumental effort from them during the next two months.
Having relinquished top spot for the first time this season last weekend, Saracens made a major statement of intent with their team selection as five England starters against France seven days ago all featured.
Gareth Steenson missed an early penalty chance in blustery and damp conditions, and the opening 10 minutes were dominated by heavyweight sparring between the packs as both sides sought a territorial foothold.
But the game exploded into action after 18 minutes when Saracens breached Exeter's defence through a strong run from Scotland international back Duncan Taylor, and after Itoje acted as a key link, Goode's dazzling footwork saw him elude would-be tacklers to claim a try that Farrell converted.
Saracens did not have much longer to wait before they posted a second try, and this time it was Vunipola who powered over wide out following a brilliant off-load by centre Marcelo Bosch, putting Exeter in deep trouble,12-0 behind.
Steenson belatedly opened the Chiefs' account through an angled penalty after Kruis infringed, and then he added another penalty - this time from halfway - as Exeter trooped off 12-6 adrift.
Saracens, though, should have struck first in the second half, but flanker Will Fraser had the ball dislodged from his grasp by Chiefs centre Henry Slade as he dived over the line, and Exeter escaped.
But it proved short-lived, and Saracens looked to have made the game safe when hooker Schalk Brits capitalised on an initial defensive hole punched by Billy Vunipola and sent Farrell sprinting clear.
It was another impressively executed score, and although Waldrom responded for Exeter, Saracens were in no mood to take their foot off the accelerator.
Wray's try, finished off following a stunning Neil De Kock pass, sealed the deal after Farrell had kicked a penalty, then Wyles powered over and Goode's conversion completed a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's work, even if Itoje was sin-binned for a technical offence with two minutes left.
