British and Irish Lion Owen Farrell insists his clinical Saracens side will be a force to be reckoned with once again in Europe this season, after they underlined their credentials with a bonus-point victory at Ulster.
The 24-year-old 2013 tourist ran the game from the Sarries midfield, and it was his moment of magic just after the hour mark with the game delicately poised that allowed his side to surge ahead.
Accelerating down the blind side, Farrell – who featured seven times for the Lions in 2013 – sold a brilliant dummy before beating three defenders and sending Duncan Taylor through for an easy finish.
Chris Wyles and Alex Goode had already crossed for the visitors, while Billy Vunipola then put the result beyond doubt and brother Mako – another 2013 Lions tourist – was named man of the match.
Fellow Lion Rory Best could not help his side back into the contest, Saracens ending up 27-9 ahead, and Farrell praised his side’s resilience after they came back from a tough opening period.
“It was a brilliant win, especially after the start we had and playing into a really tough wind in the first half,” he told SarriesTV.
“They seemed to have a lot of field position in that first 20 minutes but we managed to fight our way back into the game, and I thought we were very clinical and took our chances – you have to be like that away from home.
“That bonus point was massive for us. We had to go for those penalties when we got them in the last few minutes, and we really stepped it up again in that final period.”
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