Sarries splendid, Red Bulls spent

Newcastle Red Bulls took on Saracens this afternoon in The Gallagher Prem with both teams coming off disappointing results in Europe.

Red Bulls start quick

Red Bulls needed to start fast and start fast they did, stunning Saracens by taking an early 0-7 lead through a rampage from close range from Oscar Usher, the try was converted by Brett Connon. Soon after Red Bulls ran loose with Freddie Lockwood galloping up the left and Tom Christie ran in. All he had to do was ground the ball but credit to Charlie Bracken who made enough contact to force Christie out of play.

Poor from experienced players

Red Bulls should have been two tries up and instead shortly after under Saracens pressure Simon Benitez Cruz deliberately knocked on close to the line, a penalty try was given and a yellow card shown. Christie and Benitez Cruz have been excellent since their arrivals but two experienced players should know better. During the sin bin period, Connon stepped up and marshalled Red Bulls admirably.

While Red Bulls were down to fourteen men, the Saracens physical machine got into full flow Carre and Onyeama-Christie were at the forefront of this effort. Quick ball was then allowing Segun and Caluori space to do damage out wide but Red Bulls stood firm. The damage then started being done with Segun getting a try, Caluori chased a Daly kick to score and then showed speed and air to score his second after fending off Obatoyinbo.

Brave defence

Red Bulls were under huge pressure and could've quite easily capitulated given the momentum of the game but the defence stood firm. Obatoyinbo received a team yellow but more heroic defence kept Saracens out and the half time score was 28-7. The first half felt very much like the reverse fixture at Kingston Park where Red Bulls started quick but Saracens clawed their way back into the game. A shout out for Jamie George who was kicking to touch, flick passes out of the back and tapping and going.

Poor start

Red Bulls had the tough task of playing into the wind in the second half and had to start well, they didn't. Tom Willis powered through multiple defenders and offloaded to Oneyama-Christie to score, again converted to take the score to 35-7. Things began to unravel for Red Bulls when Jamie George took a quick tap and it made its way to Noah Caluori to score in the corner, the conversion was missed but the score was now 40-7.

Jamie George who had been excellent for Saracens, playing with freedom was replaced and his replacement Hadfield scored from the back of a maul from a lineout which was converted to go to 47-7. Straight after in his last act of the game Segun kicked ahead and there was a thrilling foot race between him and Christian Wade, luckily for Red Bulls the ball went dead. At this point with over a quarter of the game to go Red Bulls were well on top.

Red Bulls chance, Sarries onslaught

There was a lovely break for Red Bulls but Benitez Cruz dropped the ball when a try would've been certain. Saracens went up the other end and turned the screw once more, a driving lineout was stopped but from the resulting scrum Mawi barged over, again it was converted by Farrell to take the score to 54-7. Reuben Parsons came on and made a late hit on Farrell conceding a penalty. Saracens kicked to the corner and powered their way through phases and James Hadfield crossed again which was again converted to take it to 61-7.

Nick Tompkins made a break and put through a smart kick for Caluori to chase and he scored his third of the afternoon, the conversion was missed to take it to 66-7. Sarries scored again soon after as Nick Tompkins went over from a quick tap, Farrell converted and it was 73-7.

Red Bulls scored last as Reuben Parsons went over on his Gallagher Prem debut to score in the last play of the game, Connon converted but the damage was done. Full time 73-14.

Tough afternoon for Red Bulls

I said in my preview that Saracens had a habit of bouncing back after a disappointing result. Although Red Bulls started fast and Tom Christie should've scored, I don't think 14-0 would've made a big difference on the game. There are front line players who have played a lot of rugby and it looked as though this block of games have caught up with them. Europe has gone well and the win against Gloucester has given Red Bulls some hope. The lack of depth in the squad has finally caught up. Looking at recruitment, this will be addressed next season. It was a disappointing afternoon from a Red Bulls perspective but they're better than they showed this afternoon.

Time to rotate

With Prem Cup games coming up, quite a few players are going to need to be rested, this gives players a chance to impress for the final part of the season. There's still a lot to play for, a big European knockout game against La Rochelle which is an improvement on last season. They're still in with a chance of Champions Cup rugby next season, if they can chase down Gloucester and Harlequins in the run in. For me the priority now is Europe followed by The Prem and The Prem Cup should be used to rotate.

Saracens standouts

Saracens put in a real team performance, Willis, George and Oneyama-Christie amongst others caused Red Bulls trouble allowing the dangerous backs to run riot, at times Red Bulls couldn't lay a hand on Saracens. Caluori was man of the match but Segun looked just as dangerous.