Sarries are hanging on after penalty shoot-out
SARACENS’ hopes of a third straight Champions Cup crown are hanging by a thread after they were held to a draw by the Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium.
This was no classic, John Lacey’s whistle dominating the encounter as Farrell and opposite number Dan Biggar kicked five penalties apiece in what was a straight shoot-out between the two British & Irish Lions.
Both Mark McCall’s men and the Ospreys can still make the quarter-finals, but the Welsh side must win in Clermont next week while Saracens will fancy downing Northampton on home soil to escape Pool 2 even if they might have to do without Billy Vunipola who left the field here with a wrist injury.
Saracens arrived in Swansea with a daunting XI packed full of international experience. The visitors knew defeat would spell the end of their quarter-final hopes and McCall was able to recall Wales star Liam Williams to his side in the city in which the talented back was born.
England regulars Farrell, Mako Vunipola, Jamie George, Maro Itoje and Billy Vunipola also began the game, while the Ospreys had a strong team of their own led by Alun Wyn Jones.
Northampton’s surprise win over Clermont Auvergne had opened up the pool and with Wales head coach Warren Gatland watching on, Saracens laid down an early marker.
A simple penalty from Farrell put the English side ahead and while Will Skelton was perhaps lucky to avoid a card for clearing out Dmitri Arhip nowhere near the ball, Saracens were on top.
Ospreys struggled to escape their half and despite some impressive home defending – which included one superb lineout counter surge – the visitors had almost all the ball. Drizzle and Lacey didn’t help the flow of the game, Rob McCusker then penalised for taking out Williams in the air and Farrell making it 6-0 from the tee.
Biggar put the Ospreys on the board with a penalty just after the hour after Itoje was penalised for going off his feet, a kick immediately cancelled out by Farrell’s third strike.
There was still time before the break for Callum Clark to be pinged for offside and Biggar booted the goal for Saracens to go into the break 9-6 to the good.
Billy Vunipola failed to appear after the break, the England man and Michael Rhodes replaced by George Kruis and Schalk Burger. The South African moved to No 8, Itoje shifting to blindside with Kruis partnering Skelton at lock. It coincided almost immediately with Biggar levelling the scores, but the penalties kept coming.
Bradley Davies was done for not rolling away and Farrell did the rest. It was an arm wrestle of the highest order, but the game finally opened up when Saracens replacement Chris Wyles was yellow carded for taking out Sam Davies in the air. With a man advantage, Ospreys tried to kick their opposition to death. Alex Goode saved what would have been a certain try for Biggar as he pounced on a loose ball and the Welshman then made it 12-12 with his fourth kick.
Farrell then kicked what looked like a decisive penalty in the 76th minute, but still the Ospreys wouldn’t go away and, after Jones won the a breakdown penalty, Biggar stepped up to ensure a share of the spoils.