 Farrell has made his previous first-team appearances in the back-row |
Saracens (16) 22
Try: Haughton
Con: Jackson
Pens: Jackson 5
Leicester (6) 16
Try: Goode
Con: Goode
Pens: Burke 2, Goode
Andy Farrell's league debut at inside centre ended in triumph as fly-half Glen Jackson kicked Saracens to an impressive victory over Leicester.
Sarries went 19-6 ahead after Richard Haughton crossed while Jackson added four penalties and a conversion.
Leicester refused to buckle and clawed their way back with a try, conversion and penalty from substitute Andy Goode.
But Jackson added another penalty while Leicester's James Buckland was held up under the posts in the closing stages.
Farrell did show glimpses of brilliance in his new position but the 31-year-old never completely dominated the game.
 | 606: DEBATE |
And it was his Kiwi team-mate that will take the plaudits after an impressive display with the boot.
Leicester were without 10 players on international duty and the losses told as they never got into the game.
Goode, who came on for Paul Burke at the start of the second half, did briefly give the Tigers hope when he finished off after scrum-half Harry Ellis took a quick tap seven metres from the line.
His conversion and penalty pulled Leicester to within three points although Jackson added a penalty to make it 17 points for the afternoon.
Leicester piled forward and they almost claimed a late try but Buckland was held up by the Saracens defence.
Saracens director of rugby Alan Gaffney:
"Thank God for Jacko, his all-round performance was superb today. Thank God he is durable because we have got no cover at fly-half at the moment. "If I had one word to describe Andy Farrell's performance I would say solid. What he did, he did well.
"Inside centre is a tough position and he needs to learn when to be flat, when to be deep and when to be wide. It is all about experience."
Leicester director of rugby Pat Howard:
"I thought we showed a lot of integrity from 19-6 down and James Buckland scored a try at the end. "I spoke to Saracens' Paul Gustard, who is a good friend of mine, and he said that James scored but the referee could not see it.
"I am proud of the performance of the guys, especially as we have 13 players missing who have gone off to all parts to play for their countries."
Saracens: Scarbrough; Haughton, Sorrell, Farrell, Vaikona; Jackson, de Kock; Yates, Byrne, Visagie, Ryder, Fullarton, Chesney, Gustard, Skirving.
Replacements: Penney for Haughton (47), Cairns for Byrne (51), Vyvyan for Ryder (56).
Not Used: Liffchak, Russell, Dickens, Castaignede.
Leicester Vesty; J Murphy, Lloyd, Gibson, Varndell, Burke, Bemand, Moreno, Buckland, Holford, Cullen, L Deacon, B Deacon, Jennings, Crane.
Replacements: Goode for Burke (46), Ellis for Bemand (51), Abraham for Jennings (56).
Not Used: Hickie, Young, T Croft, Cornwell.
Sin Bin: Lloyd (55)
Att: 8,895
Ref: R Maybank (RFU)
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 