Fijian 'guest players' help Saracens lift Premiership 7s title

Saracens lifted the Premiership Rugby 7s trophy after an impressive 33-12 victory over reigning Champions Wasps at Franklin’s Gardens.

There was a thoroughly Fijian feel to the team, with Ratu Naulago and Miteli Vulikijapani – who starred for Saracens as guest players from Army Rugby – helping the Londoners to the latest addition to their burgeoning trophy cabinet.

However, 10 of the 12 players named for Saracens are part of, or have graduated from, the club’s Academy system.

Captain Joel Conlon led the way with two tries as the defending League Champions ran in five tries against the 2016 and 2017 7s winners Wasps.

It is the second time that Saracens have claimed the Premiership Rugby 7s Cup title having previously defeated Newcastle Falcons in the 2010 final.

Saracens made a destructive start by taking advantage of a knock by Will Wilson to get the first try on the scoreboard through captain Conlon.

The Coventry-based side were soon back in the frame though when Sunni Jardine went under the posts to draw his side level – his fifth try of the competition.

Seconds before half-time though, Conlon again cut an imposing figure, drifting down the right flank to put Saracens 12-5 up at the break after Matt Gallagher coolly added the extras.

The Londoners never looked back and stretched their lead to a 12-point advantage after the break when Tom Griffiths broke through the Wasps ranks to dab down. Gallagher again kicked for two.

Rotimi Segun and Miteli Vulikijapani continued the Saracens momentum to knock Wasps off their perch despite a Callum Sirker consolation try.

Gloucester Rugby claim Plate

Gloucester Rugby were named as back-to-back Premiership Rugby 7s Plate winners after defeating Worcester Warriors 17-15.

Gareth Evans’ try with under a minute remaining secured victory for the Cherry & Whites after Warriors had mounted a startling comeback.

Dom Coetzer had fired the Cherry & Whites ahead with a quick fire try shortly after the initial whistle before Jacob Morris added a second quickly after. Charlie Chapman added the extras.

But the Warriors battled back and reduced the deficit to 12-5 at half-time when Nick David crossed the whitewash.

Naca Kinikinilau then drew the Warriors to within two, before they took a surprise lead after an innovative handoff from Mason Tonks let Luke Scully dot over the line.

But the Cherry & Whites kept their composure and secured the Plate title with the clock ticking down with Evans’ score.

Earlier, Gloucester knocked promoted Bristol Bears out at the semi-final stage after Jacob Morris dabbed down in the final seconds to earn Gloucester Rugby a 24-19 win.

Reiss Cullen scored twice for the Bears but it wasn’t enough for them to earn their first win of the weekend in Northampton.

The Warriors joined the Cherry and Whites in the Plate final with a 26-15 win over Leicester Tigers after two tries from Michael Mellett.

Joss Linney and Nick David got the Warriors’ other scores as they ran in four tries with Sam Aspland-Robinson and Mike Aldard (two) replying for the Tigers.