Result: Viadana 26 – 34 Saracens

December 16th, 2007 rugby Posted in Saracens, Viadana No Comments »

Saracens produced a stunning second-half fightback to avoid a shock defeat to Italian minnows Viadana.

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The hosts went 26-3 up at the break with a brace from Jaco Erasmus and one apiece from Kaine Robertson and Steven Bortolussi to earn a bonus point.

But Saracens hit back after half-time and levelled up the game with a penalty try, a score from David Seymour and three Glen Jackson penalties.

The win was sealed with another Jackson penalty and a Richard Haughton try.

Haughton’s score, which came four minutes into stoppage time after he rounded two forwards on the wing, broke the hearts of a Viadana side that have yet to win a game in this year’s competition.

Viadana, who had lost 71-7 to Saracens last weekend, were clearly taking this game more seriously and made 10 changes – with recalls for Italian internationals Kaine Robertson and Josh Sole.

And it was Sole’s sin-binning on 57 minutes, with the score poised at 26-16, that proved critical.

While the flanker was off the field, Saracens pulled the score level with a Jackson penalty and Seymour’s converted try, which was created by Haughton’s mazy run.

The Sarries victory puts them top of Pool Four, two points clear of French side Biarritz, who they meet next at Vicarage Road in January.

But there will be concerns over the fitness of hooker Matt Cairns, who had to leave the pitch after just five minutes with an injured arm.

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Result: Saracens 72-7 Viadana

December 9th, 2007 rugby Posted in Saracens No Comments »

Saracens made it six home Heineken Cup wins on the bounce with a thumping of sorry Viadana at Vicarage Road.All Black lock Chris Jack and South African full-back Brent Russell both made debuts for the English side.

But it was a hat-trick from Richard Haughtan and 25 points from number 10 Glen Jackson that helped Saracens to a huge win in Pool Four.

Jackson landed nine conversions, a penalty and a try, with Viadana’s sole points coming from Calvin Howarth.

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Leeds 28-46 Saracens

October 27th, 2007 rugby Posted in Leeds, Saracens No Comments »

Saracens ran in six tries in a dominant victory over Leeds in the EDF Energy Cup at Headingley on Friday.Rod Penney (2), Craig McMullen, Edd Thrower, Moses Rauluni and Kevin Sorrell all crossed, while fly-half Gordon Ross kicked 16 points.

Leeds, second from bottom of the Premiership, scored four tries through Erik Lund, Mike McDonald, Scott Armstrong and Apolosi Satala.

Sarries led 13-8 at the break but ran rampant in the second half.


  • Leeds director of rugby Stuart Lancaster:
    “There are lots of positives to take from it. I thought lots of our play was good and at the level that it needs to be.”But obviously we cannot keep gifting soft scores away because at this level you will get hurt.

    “I’m disappointed for the players because the spirit is strong, but that’s Leeds for you.”

  • Saracens director of rugby Alan Gaffney:
    “We’ve come up here and scored six tries but our defence was just not acceptable.”Full credit to Leeds because they really kept going and deserve some credit for that.”


    Leeds: J Goodridge, L Hinton, T Rock, A Tuilagi, A Satala, A Di Bernardo, J Brooks; M MacDonald, J Parkes; F Pala’amo, E Lund, K Myall, D Paul, C Clark, R Oakley (capt).
    Replacements: A Hopcroft, V Ma’asi, P Bouza, S Stitcher, D Edwards, L Blackett, S Armstrong.

    Saracens: R Haughton, D van der Merwe, R Penney, C McMullen, E Thrower, G Ross, A Dickens (capt), N Lloyd, F Ongaro, T Mercey, K Chesney, T Ryder, P Gustard, D Seymour, G Hall.
    Replacements: Kyriacou, A Liffchak, H Vyvyan, D Barrell, M Rauluni, K Sorrell, N Cato.

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    Leeds v Saracens: Friday 26th October

    October 26th, 2007 rugby Posted in Leeds, Saracens No Comments »

    Fiji international winger Appo Satala is set to make his debut for Leeds in their EDF Energy Cup clash.Leigh Hinton returns for the injured Richard Welding whilst Andy Tuilagi and Tom Rock, Kearnan Myall, James Parkes and Danny Paul all come into the side.

    Saracens boss Alan Gaffney has recalled Fabio Ongaro, Tom Ryder, Paul Gustard, Tom Mercey and Gordon Ross.

    Guthrie Hall and Daniel van der Merwe also make their debuts, while Fiji captain Moses Rauluni starts as sub.


    Leeds: J Goodridge, L Hinton, T Rock, A Tuilagi, A Satala, A Di Bernardo, J Brooks; M MacDonald, J Parkes; F Pala’amo, E Lund, K Myall, D Paul, C Clark, R Oakley (capt). Replacements: A Hopcroft, V Ma’asi, P Bouza, S Stitcher, D Edwards, L Blackett, S Armstrong.

    Saracens: R Haughton, D van der Merwe, R Penney, C McMullen, E Thrower, G Ross, A Dickens (capt), N Lloyd, F Ongaro, T Mercey, K Chesney, T Ryder, P Gustard, D Seymour, G Hall. Replacements: Kyriacou, A Liffchak, H Vyvyan, D Barrell, M Rauluni, K Sorrell, N Cato.

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    Richard Hill takes over as Saracens club captain

    August 23rd, 2007 rugby Posted in Saracens No Comments »

    Saracens have named scrum-half Neil de Kock as team captain for the new season, while former England flanker Richard Hill will become club captain.

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    Former Springbok De Kock replaces Simon Raiwalui, who has left the club to move to France, as skipper on the field.

    “Neil’s not someone who will scream and shout, but he’s an outstanding player who leads by example,” said Saracens director of rugby Alan Gaffney.

    Meanwhile, Hill steps into the shoes of Hugh Vyvyan as club captain.

    The 34-year-old is starting his 14th season with Saracens, and has nearly 300 appearances for the club under his belt.

    “It’s important to make sure there is a clear pathway between the players and the management and it’s a role that Hugh performed very well last year – I have to continue what he started,” said Hill.

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