Saracens claim Wembley win over the Ospreys

The match got off to a flying start with Rhys Gill’s early try before the visitors replied through Ashley Beck’s solo effort. Ernst Joubert caught the Ospreys out from the restart as the hosts earned a ten-point half-time lead.

Chris Wyles scored Saracens’ third try in the second half but Beck went over for his second of the game to set up a tense finale. But the Men in Black held on to remain top of their pool heading into Friday’s return match in Wales.

Peter Stringer was given the chance to make his debut for Saracens from the bench after joining in a three month loan from Munster. Schalk Brits was recalled to the front row after serving his three-match suspension.

The Men in Black were also able to bring Charlie Hodgson back into the side alongside fit again Brad Barritt. David Strettle also returned to the side along with Jacques Burger in a strong Sarries team.

The Premiership champions made an excellent start and almost scored the first try after two minutes following a run from Alex Goode but Chris Wyles was pushed into touch.

But Mark McCall’s side enjoyed the perfect start one minute later when they turned over the Ospreys’ lineout and the forwards drove over with Welshman Gill getting the final touch. The television match official awarded the try and Owen Farrell kicked Sarries into a 7-0 lead.

Saracens conceded their first penalty after seven minutes and the Ospreys fly-half Dan Biggar kicked over a fine effort from his own half to get them on the scoreboard.

The Men in Black were awarded a penalty from the restart and Farrell was never likely to miss from right in front of the posts.

The Welsh giants stunned Sarries with their first try of the night after 11 minutes. Tommy Bowe’s pass cannoned off Hodgson and centre Beck raced clear of the defence to score. Biggar’s conversion tied the game up at 10-10.

But Sarries hit back straight away to regain the lead in style. Joubert peeled off a scrum and raced through unopposed to score the hosts’ second try of the engrossing contest. Farrell’s conversion gave Saracens a seven-point lead after an action packed opening.

The visitors were given another penalty midway through the half and Biggar booted over the kick to bring them within four points of their opponents.

Saracens forced another penalty after their power in the scrum proved too much for the Ospreys. But Farrell was unable to find the target for the first time in the match.

But the hosts forced a penalty after more pressure on the away side and Farrell made no mistake this time to extend their lead.

The Ospreys suffered a setback three minutes before the break when their captain Tom Smith was sin-binned for a breakdown offence.

Saracens received another penalty just before the break and Farrell easily booted them into a ten-point lead.

The Ospreys were awarded a penalty at the start of the second half and Biggar booted over an important three points for them.

But Saracens put more distance between the sides with a superb third try six minutes into the second half. Brits burst clear and his pass found Wyles who managed to ground the ball before being tackled. Farrell missed the conversion but the lead was 12 points.

The Ospreys wasted a big chance to pull three points back when Biggar missed his first penalty of the game.

Sarries were hit by a major setback after 50 minutes when Farrell was shown a yellow card for a shoulder barge which reduced them to 14 men.

The Ospreys took advantage of the extra man as Richard Fussell’s offload released Beck for his second try of the match. Biggar’s conversion brought them within five points of their English opponents.

Stringer was brought on for his debut with 20 minutes remaining in place of Spencer. Sarries also took off Hodgson with James Short replacing the former Sale Sharks fly-half.

Farrell missed a decent opportunity to extend Sarries’ lead when he missed a penalty following his return to the action.

The Men in Black relieved the pressure with a spell of possession in the Ospreys’ half and they earned another penalty due to their dominance in the scrum. Farrell fired over the kick to leave them eight points clear with seven minutes remaining.

But Saracens were penalised immediately from the restart and Biggar punished them by booting over the penalty.

The Ospreys tried desperately to snatch the win but Sarries managed to keep them at bay and clinch a vital European win over their rivals.

Saracens: Goode, Strettle, Farrell, Barritt, Wyles, Hodgson (Short, 59), Spencer (Stringer, 59); Gill, Brits (George, 48), Stevens (Nieto, 65), Borthwick, Botha (Kruis, 58), Brown, Burger (Saull, 65), Joubert

Ospreys: Fussell, Bowe, Bishop, Beck, Williams, Biggar, Webb; D Jones (Bevington, 47), Hibbard (Bennett, 47), A Jones, R Jones, Thomas, Smith (Gough, 52), Tipuric, Bearman

Scoring: 5-0, 7-0, 7-3, 10-3, 10-8, 10-10, 15-10, 17-10, 17-13, 20-13, 23-13 HT 23-16, 28-16, 28-21, 28-23, 31-23, 31-26

Referee: Pascal Gauzere