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Saracens player ratings: After the first 10 minutes, it looked like Saracens were strolling. Two tries for good, Connacht reeling and Owen Farrell pulling the strings.
Then the hosts finally woke up. From that point on, Connacht’s backline and substitutions caused Saracens all sorts of problems, and while the sides continued to trade tries in a breathless second half, the visitors were never able to regain control.
There were some strong individual displays, but also enough defensive rot to leave Brendan Venter wringing his hands after this 45-36 defeat in Galway.
15. Elliot Daly – 6.5
Middle exit from Daly. His handball was excellent and he repeatedly relieved the pressure when Connacht threatened to build momentum. That said, he was also guilty of coughing up the ball on more than one occasion and never really imposed himself in the way a player of his quality can. He grabbed a late try on 79 minutes that briefly offered Saracens a lifeline.
14. Noah Caluori – 7
He looked brilliant whenever Saracens got on the front foot. He took his early try well and seemed capable of creating something every time he was given space. The downside was his defence, which looked like little sixes and sevens as Connacht went forward. One of Saracen’s best players, but that side of his game still needs a lot of work.
13. Nick Tompkins – 6
I couldn’t fault the effort. Tompkins fought for everything and deserved a try at half-time after Saracens pulled to 19-19. The problem is that the midfield around him looked porous, especially when Connacht’s replacements arrived and started asking different questions.
12. Zion Vaenuku – 8.5
It’s hard to criticize much here despite ending up on the losing side. A menacing ball carrier from the first to the final whistle, he opened Saracen’s account after just five minutes and added another after the break. Connacht struggled to contain the ex-Sydney Roosters prospect once he gained momentum and consistently fooled Saracens over the gain line.
11. Rotimi Segun – 7
One of those weird nights where the ball felt like a bar of soap at times. When he wasn’t dropping it, he was a real threat. He finished off his try brilliantly shortly after half-time and always looked dangerous in disorderly pitch situations.
10. Owen Farrell – 7
Full of piss and vinegar everywhere. It’s hard to overestimate his influence, both on and off the ball. Saracens looked at their most dangerous when Farrell dictated the territory and tempo. The problem was his old nemesis, discipline, had resurfaced. He missed a couple of conversions and awarded penalties that hurt Saracens at key moments. Connacht substitute Ciaran Frawley’s all-over play also left the veteran appearing lightly in the shadows during the final quarter.
9. Tomos Williams – 7
They offered a typically impeccable service and gave Saracens good pace from the base. There wasn’t much wrong with his individual performance, but like Farrell, he struggled when Connacht’s pack began to win collisions and create their own quick ball.
1. Eroni Mawi – 7
He carried hard and gave as good as he got in his fight time against Finlay Bealham and company. He never looked physically intimidated and remained one of Saracens’ more reliable forwards before heading off after 50 minutes.
2. Jamie George – 6
His line work was mostly excellent and he brought his usual accuracy to the set. At times, though, I struggled to live with the pace of the contest, particularly when Connacht’s forwards began to riot in the wider channels.
3. Markus Street – 6
A solid enough outing without really dominating. He competed well in a tight exchange and went through the business before leaving just before the hour mark.
4. Olamide Sodeka – N/A
Excellent during the 18 minutes he was on the field. He looked physical, aggressive and hungry for work before injury cut his night short. Replaced too early to warrant rating.
5. Hugh Tizard – 7
He got rid of everything that moved. He may have lacked a bit of mobility when Connacht really started to move the ball, but there’s no doubting the engine. He battled all night despite the scoreboard moving more and more against Saracens.
6. Maro Itoje – 8
An ever-present thorn in Connacht’s side. The bandage wrapped around his head told its story after the brutal physical display. He won countless balls, disrupted hands and generally caused headaches wherever he went. Saracens may have lost, but it certainly wasn’t for lack of effort from their captain.
7. Toby Knight – 5.5
Missed too many attempts and ended up second best in a fierce battle in the back row. Connacht’s loose forwards, particularly Cian Prendergast and Sean Jansen, dominated this contest and Knight never found a way back into it.
8. Ben Earl – 8.5
Everywhere. He went toe-to-toe with the formidable Sean Jansen and produced arguably Saracens’ best individual performance. By full-time he had beaten five defenders and carried relentlessly. Even in defeat, Earl looked every inch the world-class operator.
Substitutions – 7
Nick Isiekwe provided good value after replacing the unfortunate Sodeke and brought plenty of physicality to proceedings. Alfie Barbeary added a huge strike from the bench and repeatedly dented the Connacht defensive line.
