Saracens began their Amlin Challenge Cup campaign with a comfortable 36-12 win over Rugby Rovigo at Vicarage Road this afternoon.

The bonus point victory, which maintained their 100 per cent record this season, was the ideal preparation for their vital clash in Toulon on Thursday night. Saracens laboured to a 19-9 half-time lead after veteran Kevin Sorrell’s try but an improved performance after the break, which included efforts from Don Barrell, Horak and Penney, sent them top of pool three ahead of their difficult trip to the south of France.

Teenage fly half Jake Sharp was one of four debutants starting the match with full back Horak, wing Michael Tagicakibau and scrum half Kevin Barrett all picked. Director of rugby Brendan Venter rang the changes for the European opener with Michael Owen taking over the captaincy. Sorrell made his first start for seven months after a serious knee injury and he was joined in the centre by Penney.

It only took three minutes for the rookie to get his first points for the Men in Black when he kept his composure to fire over a drop goal for the early lead. Within four minutes Sarries scored their first try of the game when Sorrell, in his 299th game, marked his comeback by diving over the line. Sharp added the conversion for the hosts.

The Italians got off the mark after ten minutes when German Bustos fired over the first penalty of the match. Sarries responded through 18-year-old Sharp who booted over a penalty.

The visitors enjoyed a decent spell of possession midway through the half and they were rewarded when Saracens were caught offside and Bustos converted the penalty. But Rovigo conceded another penalty and Sharp kicked the ball over to stretch Sarries lead to ten points.

Another bright attack from the Italians resulted in a penalty after 35 minutes and Bustos easily kicked over the three points. Sharp still had time to fire over another penalty just before the break which handed them a 19-9 advantage over Rovigo at half-time.

Ethienne Reynecke was given his first appearance for Sarries when he was introduced for Fabio Ongaro at the break. The hosts came out fired up for the second half and it paid off as they added another score within three minutes. Hayden Smith won the lineout and Barrell dived over the line. Sharp sent his conversion attempt wide of the target.

Rovigo got their first points of the second half when Bustos powered over a penalty.

But the hosts quickly extended their lead when former London Irish full back Horak shimmied his way through the defence for another try. Replacement fly half Derick Hougaard added the conversion.

Sarries were looking for the crucial fourth try and Venter brought on Noah Cato midway through the half in place of Richard Haughton. And they did not have to wait long for the breakthrough as Penney burst clear and dived over in the corner to seal the bonus point win.

Saracens: Horak, Haughton, Penney, Sorrell, Tagicakibau, Sharp (Hougaard, 51), Barrett (Marshall, 51); Aguero (Brown, 67), Ongaro (Reynecke, HT), Skuse (Mercey, 51) Ryder (Botha, 51) Smith, Barrell, Melck (Van Heerden, 46), Owen

Rovigo: Pedrazzi (Anouer, 64), De Gasperi, Pratichetti, Sartoretto, Bacchetti, Bustos, Travagli (Canale, 67); De Marchi, Mahoney, Boccalon (Ravelle, 53), Reato, Tumiati, Badocchi, Lubian, Immelman (Barion, 32)

Scoring: 3-0, 10-0, 10-3, 13-3, 13-6, 16-6, 16-9, 19-9 HT 24-9, 24-12, 29-12, 31-12, 36-12,

Referee: Pascal Gauzere

Attendance: 5,678