Sarries heading to Twickenham
Having failed to make it to the European Cup Final, they bounced back in fine style to dismiss Wasps 57-33 in an entertaining encounter on Saturday.
The three-time champions were quick out of the blocks with early tries from Alex Lozowski and Vincent Koch, while Owen Farrell’s boot helped them lead 23-5 at half-time.
Chris Wyles added another after the break, but Wasps roared back thanks to tries from Jake Cooper-Woolley, Thomas Young and Willie le Roux, who had also crossed in the first half.
Juan Figallo’s effort just after the hour effectively wrapped it up, and there was still time for more tries from Maro Itoje and Ben Spencer for Saracens, as well as Christian Wade for Wasps.
Saracens made a blistering start with Farrell slicing through the Wasps defence before finding Lozowski inside him for the opening try.
They almost had another soon after through Jackson Wray, but a knock-on from Itoje in the build-up saw that one chalked off. It was temporary respite though as Koch forced his way over from close range, with Farrell’s conversion making it 14-0.
Wasps thought they had hit straight back, but Jimmy Gopperth had an arm in touch just before he dotted down Elliot Daly’s grubber through.
FULL TIME | An incredible battle here at Allianz Park with Saracens coming out on top 57-33 against Wasps.
We're off to Twickenham! pic.twitter.com/ztaRaKM9uT
— Saracens Rugby Club (@Saracens) May 19, 2018
Two more Farrell penalties made it 20-0, with Saracens in complete control, but Wasps finally found a way through as Juan de Jongh got away down the right before finding Le Roux inside for the score.
Farrell added a further penalty to make it 23-5 at half-time as Saracens’ dominant forward effort, led by the outstanding Mako Vunipola, overwhelmed their visitors.
If Wasps were going to come back, they needed the first score in the second half, but instead it was Saracens who scored try number three. Again the forwards set the platform and then the ball was spread to the left allowing Wyles to go over in the corner.
Daly was denied a sensational finish when he dotted down against the corner flag, but Wasps had their second try soon after through Cooper-Woolley.
The comeback was really on two minutes later as Wade found Young on his shoulder and he raced away, with Gopperth’s conversion making it 30-19.
Saracens’ pack was still on top though earning two more penalties which Farrell duly slotted.
Wasps responded again, Le Roux crossing in the corner after Guy Thompson’s break, but that score was cancelled out by Saracens replacement Figallo.
Itoje’s effort stretched the lead further, but Wasps went over again through Wade, scoring their fifth of the afternoon in a losing effort.
And there was still time for one final try from Spencer to take the overall points tally to 90 points, a record in an Premiership semifinal.
The scorers:
For Saracens:
Tries: Lozowski, Koch, Wyles, Figallo, Itoje, Spencer
Cons: Farrell 6
Pens: Farrell 5
For Wasps:
Tries: Le Roux 2, Cooper-Woolley, Young, Wade
Cons: Gopperth 2, Cipriani 2
Teams:
Saracens: 15 Alex Goode, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Alex Lozowski, 12 Brad Barritt (captain), 11 Chris Wyles, 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Richard Wigglesworth, 8 Billy Vunipola, 7 Jackson Wray, 6 Nick Isiekwe, 5 George Kruis, 4 Maro Itoje, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Jamie George, 1 Mako Vunipola
Replacements: 16 Schalk Brits, 17 Richard Barrington, 18 Juan Figallo, 19 Will Skelton, 20 Michael Rhodes, 21 Ben Spencer, 22 Marcelo Bosch, 23 Nathan Earle
Wasps: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Christian Wade, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Jimmy Gopperth, 11 Elliot Daly, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Dan Robson, 8 Nathan Hughes, 7 Thomas Young, 6 Jack Willis, 5 Kearnan Myall, 4 Joe Launchbury (captain), 3 Jake Cooper-Woolley, 2 Tom Cruse, 1 Ben Harris
Replacements: 16 TJ Harris, 17 Matt Mullan, 18 Marty Moore, 19 James Gaskell, 20 Guy Thompson, 21 Joe Simpson, 22 Kyle Eastmond, 23 Josh Bassett
Referee: John-Paul Doyle
Assistant referees: Ian Tempest, Hamish Smales
TMO: Graham Hughes
