Saracens 75-28 Newcastle: A very 'Goode' afternoon as Sarries demolish Falcons in an 11-try rout

Saracens started the match with real purpose, Juan Martin Gonzalez finishing off a brilliant move from the hosts' forward pack, and Fergus Burke added the extras. All momentum was with the home side in the North London sun, this time Theo Dan driving over from a rolling maul to extend the lead for those in red and black, Burke converting again, 14-0.

Sarries found themselves undone when they played the Falcons earlier in the season, and the visitors would show their attacking skills as Sam Stuart found a gap to score.

Unlike at Kingston Park, the hosts would strike straight back, Ben Earl on a high from the Lions announcement, bouncing several defenders off the back of a scrum before dotting down.

The home side would complete the bonus point in just over 23 minutes, Ivan van Zyl finishing off a brilliant line-break started by Alex Goode, 26-7.

Another player thriving off the back of Andy Farrell’s selection was captain Maro Itoje, who would dive over from close range after another dominant Sarries lineout move.

Tobias Elliot would be the next player to run in for those in red and black in a rampant first 40, but it would get pulled back for an offside.

Newcastle got some joy of their own at the end of the first half, Freddie Lockwood scoring after a raft of penalties in the Saracens 22’, it would be converted by Connon to make it 33-14 at the break.

The second half started off in similar fashion, Gonzalez wasting no time getting his second of the afternoon, and Burke would yet again be successful off the tee.

The Argentine would cap off his fantastic showing with a hat-trick score, picking the ball up and running half the length of the pitch to score, the visitors napping at the breakdown.

Falcons responded with their third try, Stuart doubling his tally for the afternoon after a lengthy time spent on the Sarries tryline.

Those in red and black would hit straight back, replacement Jamie George going over from close range with the cheers of the StoneX behind him, and Burke added the two.

The greatest cheer would come when man of the moment Alex Goode made way on his 400^th Saracens’ appearance.

Ben Stevenson made sure the visitors wouldn’t be leaving empty-handed a brilliant counter-attack got the Falcons the bonus-point score in the corner, 54-28.

Replacement Charlie Bracken also wouldn’t take long to get himself on the scoresheet, making the most of a gap in the defence to go through off the back of a lineout.

Tobias Elliot was unlucky not to get a score of his own, but his amazing run set up Earl for his second of the contest, Louis Johnson converting.

Saracens capped off an entertaining rout with one more on the stroke of full time, Tom Willis powering over from close range, showing maybe that Andy Farrell made a mistake not including him, 75-28.

TRIES: Juan Martin Gonzalez (5’, 41’, 48’), Theo Dan (10’), Ben Earl (17’, 74’), Ivan van Zyl (23’), Maro Itoje (28’), Jamie George (58’), Charlie Bracken (67’) Tom Willis (80’)

CONVERSIONS: Fergus Burke (5’, 10’, 23’, 28’, 41’, 48’, 58’), Louis Johnson (67’,74’, 80’)

PENALTIES: 0

DROP GOALS: 0

YELLOW CARDS: 0

RED CARDS: 0

15. Alex Goode 14. Tobias Elliot 13. Elliot Daly 12. Nick Tompkins 11. Rotimi Segun 10. Fergus Burke 9. Ivan Van Zyl 8. Ben Earl 7. Juan Martin Gonzalez 6. Theo McFarland 5. Nick Isiekwe 4. Maro Itoje © 3. Alec Clarey 2. Theo Dan 1. Eroni Mawi

Replacements:

16. Jamie George 17. Sam Crean 18. Harvey Beaton 19. Tom Willis 20. Andy Onyeama-Christie 21. Charlie Bracken 22. Louis Johnson 23. Angus Hall

TRIES: Sam Stuart (14’, 54’), Freddie Lockwood (40’), Ben Stevenson (62’)

CONVERSIONS: Brett Connon (14’, 40, 54’,62’)

PENALTIES: 0

DROP GOALS: 0

YELLOW CARDS: 0

RED CARDS: 0

15. Elliot Obatoyinbo 14. Alex Hearle 13. Max Clark 12. Sammy Arnold 11. Ben Stevenson 10. Brett Connon 9. Sam Stuart 8. Callum Chick © 7. Cameron Neild 6. Freddie Lockwood 5. Sebastian de Chaves 4. John Hawkins 3. Murray McCallum 2. Jamie Blamire 1. Adam Brocklebank

Replacements

16. Ollie Fletcher 17. Mickey Rewcastle 18. Luan de Bruin 19. Oscar Usher 20. Tom Gordon 21. Joe Davis 22. Max Pepper 23. Oli Spencer

It would be impossible to talk about today’s game without mentioning the man who has played 400games in the shirt. Although he didn’t score this afternoon, the leadership and calmness he brings to the squad is unparalleled.

Following the appointment of Maro as British and Irish Lions captain midweek, he showed exactly why. His direct running, dominance in the air and his try showed why he will be an asset for Andy Farrell down under this summer.

Similarly, Ben Earl was outstanding again, his speed, power and conciseness putting his side in control every time he gets the ball in hand. Moving to centre mid-way through the second half showed his versatility. His two tries capped off his strong performance.

After such a comfortable win, Saracens will want to make the most of their final two games away at Northampton and at home to Bath, both in European finals. They may also need to rely on results elsewhere but have taken a massive step forward today.

Again, hard not to mention the players that have been and have not been selected by the Lions for the summer tour of Down Under. Maro Itoje, Ben Earl and Elliot Daly were all outstanding and have further shown why they were selected. But after yet another impressive cameo, more questions could be asked over the leaving out of Tom Willis, his try capping off the afternoon.