Sarries up and running after beating depleted Ospreys

Saracens rebounded from an opening defeat to Racing 92 by hammering a depleted Ospreys side 44-3 in the European Champions Cup.

The holders have endured a miserable time of it lately after being hit with a mammoth £5.36million fine and 35-point Premiership deduction for breaching salary cap rules during the past three seasons.

But Elliot Daly impressed on his debut and England team-mates Mako Vunipola and George Kruis returned in a six-try showing.

Jack Singleton, Alex Lewington and Rotimi Segun (2) all touched down before a penalty try and a score from Richard Barrington put an Ospreys side devoid of Alun Wyn Jones, Justin Tipuric, Gareth Anscombe and George North to the sword.

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Congratulations lads on an impressive win @RotimiSegun with his 2nd European try @elliotdaly is Man of the Match! A fantastic debut #TogetherSaracens pic.twitter.com/S8oWLeMEuN

— Saracens Rugby Club (@Saracens) November 23, 2019

Elsewhere in Pool 4, Finn Russell scored a superb nutmeg try as part of a fine display but Racing 92 played out a 21-21 draw at Munster.

Andrew Conway’s 75th-minute score and J.J. Hanrahan’s excellent conversion earned a point for the hosts at Thomond Park.

Stuart Hogg was on the winning side against former employees Glasgow Warriors as Exeter Chiefs triumphed 34-18 to make it two from two in Pool 2.

Henry Slade, Jonny Hill, Sam Simmonds and Tom O’Flaherty all scored tries, while Nick Grigg and George Turner registered for the Warriors.

Top 14 leaders Lyon lost for the second successive European game as last season’s losing finalists Leinster scrapped to a 13-6 win on their travels – Max Deegan’s first-half score ultimately proving crucial.

The other match in Pool 1 saw Northampton Saints record a thrilling 35-32 triumph at Benetton Treviso.

Dan Biggar nailed a last-gasp penalty to complete a fine fightback for Saints, who scored 17 second-half points – Ollie Sleightholme touching down and Tom Collins celebrating a second try of the game.

Connacht enjoyed a winning return to Europe’s premier competition with an opening victory over Montpellier but were brought crashing back to earth in Pool 5, suffering a 32-17 defeat at Toulouse.

Rounding out the action, Harlequins edged out domestic rivals Bath 15-9 to get up and running in Pool 3.

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