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Manu Vunipola boosts Saracens to give England cousins reason to be cheerful

Manu Vunipola

Manu Vunipola’s nerveless late penalty handed reigning champions Saracens a dramatic 16-13 win over valiant newly-promoted London Irish at Allianz Park.

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Vunipola’s cousins Billy and Mako may have suffered defeat in the World Cup final earlier in the day but the young fly-half ensured that the family would at least have something to celebrate as he put a patchy performance from the tee behind him to slot the decisive three-pointer.

That came only a couple of minutes after Ben Earl had crossed to draw Saracens level and while Vunipola missed the conversion, he soon earned redemption and broke Irish hearts.

The Exiles had built a 13-8 lead when Albert Tuisue ploughed over 10 minutes into the second half, but the visitors had to settle for just a losing bonus point.

London Irish started the brighter and looked like they had scored a try within two minutes when Ruan Botha finished off a powerful drive. However, it was disallowed for double movement.

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Stephen Myler gave the visitors the lead with a penalty after nine minutes, but this was cancelled out five minutes later by Alex Lozowski.

The first half was full of end-to-end action and, in the 26th minute, Saracens scored the opening try. A rolling maul by the hosts enabled Titi Lamositele to score and give them the lead.

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Saracens failed to convert and then saw their lead cut five minutes later with Myler’s second penalty of the afternoon.

Already bad conditions worsened after the break as both sides found handling and kicking complicated in driving rain and temperamental winds.

Saracens v London Irish - Gallagher Premiership - Allianz Arena

In the 56th minute, lots of pressure from London Irish close to the try line finally paid off as Tuisue scored following a rolling maul. Myler’s conversion was good, giving the Exiles a five-point lead.

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Sarries took their time to respond to London Irish’s resilience in only their third match back in English rugby’s top tier but they finally made the breakthrough with three minutes to go.

Saracens v London Irish - Gallagher Premiership - Allianz Arena

Another rolling maul led to a try for Earl – his third in two games – although the conversion was missed twice by Vunipola, as it was ordered to be retaken following encroachment from London Irish.

The match looked all set for a draw until Sarries were awarded a penalty and, as the clocked ticked down, Vunipola kept his nerve to slot the decisive kick.

Saracens can now welcome back a slew of first-team players from the World Cup with two wins from three under their belts in the league.

The game in pictures: 

Saracens v London Irish - Gallagher Premiership - Allianz Arena

Saracens v London Irish - Gallagher Premiership - Allianz Arena

Saracens v London Irish - Gallagher Premiership - Allianz Arena

Saracens v London Irish - Gallagher Premiership - Allianz Arena

Saracens v London Irish - Gallagher Premiership - Allianz Arena

Saracens v London Irish - Gallagher Premiership - Allianz Arena

Saracens v London Irish - Gallagher Premiership - Allianz Arena

Saracens v London Irish - Gallagher Premiership - Allianz Arena

Saracens v London Irish - Gallagher Premiership - Allianz Arena

Saracens v London Irish - Gallagher Premiership - Allianz Arena

Saracens v London Irish - Gallagher Premiership - Allianz Arena

Saracens v London Irish - Gallagher Premiership - Allianz Arena

Saracens v London Irish - Gallagher Premiership - Allianz Arena

Saracens v London Irish - Gallagher Premiership - Allianz Arena

Saracens v London Irish - Gallagher Premiership - Allianz Arena

Saracens v London Irish - Gallagher Premiership - Allianz Arena

Saracens v London Irish - Gallagher Premiership - Allianz Arena

Saracens v London Irish - Gallagher Premiership - Allianz Arena

Saracens v London Irish - Gallagher Premiership - Allianz Arena

Saracens v London Irish - Gallagher Premiership - Allianz Arena

Saracens v London Irish - Gallagher Premiership - Allianz Arena

Saracens v London Irish - Gallagher Premiership - Allianz Arena

Saracens v London Irish - Gallagher Premiership - Allianz Arena

Saracens v London Irish - Gallagher Premiership - Allianz Arena

Saracens v London Irish - Gallagher Premiership - Allianz Arena

Saracens v London Irish - Gallagher Premiership - Allianz Arena

Saracens v London Irish - Gallagher Premiership - Allianz Arena

Saracens v London Irish - Gallagher Premiership - Allianz Arena

Saracens v London Irish - Gallagher Premiership - Allianz Arena

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O
Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ England need to face a few home truths if they are to relearn that winning habit England need to face a few home truths if they are to relearn that winning habit
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