 | MATCH SUMMARY Saracens (6) 13
Try: Castaignede
Con: Jackson
Pens: Jackson 2 Wasps (9) 12
Pens: Van Gisbergen 4 |
Saracens claimed a shock win over Wasps with the help of a second-half solo try from French wing Thomas Castaignede. But Wasps move up to second place in the table after earning a bonus point.
Sarries' defence had to work hard in a bruising encounter and it was against the run of play that Castaignade danced through six Wasps tacklers for his try.
Mark Van Gisbergen's four penalties were the only return for Wasps, who suffered a further blow when Matt Dawson limped off with an ankle injury.
Wasps had won 12 of the previous 13 meetings between the sides and should have extended that favourable record.
But for all their domination, they could not find a way through a resilient home defence.
Saracens' fourth successive Premiership victory since the arrival of former Australia coach Eddie Jones has taken them a step closer to securing a Heineken Cup place next season.
But the defeat for Wasps could have serious implications for their hopes of finishing in the top two and guaranteeing a home semi-final in the end-of-season play-offs.
Saracens coach Mike Ford:
"This was up there with our best wins and Europe's in our sights now. "I can remember beating Leicester in front of 17,000 last season, and this is on a par with it. Everyone wants to beat Wasps, and we fully deserved to win.
"I don't think the turnaround is "staggering" because a lot of hard work had already been done. We just needed that little bit of luck.
"The boys are absolutely shattered in the dressing room, and we'll give them three days off now. Wasps keep on pounding and pounding away at you until you crack, and we matched them."
Wasps coach Shaun Edwards:
"The improvement in Saracens is staggering, and they certainly are a force now. "I knew they'd be tough as soon as I saw their team sheet. They've got some fantastic players and they've been the best team in the competition in the last month - which is why Mike Ford won the coach-of-the-month award.
"We'll certainly be looking at getting a bonus point at least against Leicester on Friday. We might have to go away in the semi-finals to win it."
Saracens: Bartholomeusz; Castaignede, Johnston, Sorrell, Vaikona; Jackson, Bracken; Yates, Byrne, Visagie; Raiwalui, Ryder; Chesney, Randell, Vyvyan.
Replacements: Harris for Johnston (49), Rauluni for Bracken (49), Cairns for Byrne (68).
Not Used: Lloyd, Broster, B Russell, Scarbrough.
Wasps: Van Gisbergen; Sackey, Lewsey, Abbott, Voyce; King, M Dawson; Payne, Ward, Bracken; Leo, R Birkett; Haskell, Worsley, Dallaglio.
Replacements: Erinle for Lewsey (67), Staunton for King (67), Reddan for M Dawson (30), Ibanez for Ward (70), Mackenzie for Bracken (65).
Not Used: Lock, Corker.
Att: 10,391
Referee: M Fox (RFU).
MMIX
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