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Relegated Saracens still alive in Europe despite Skelton red

(Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images)

Owen Farrell kept Saracens’ competitive season alive by landing a late penalty that clinched a 27-24 Champions Cup victory over Racing 92 at Allianz Park.

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Farrell was on target in the 76th minute as 14-man Saracens reacted to their automatic relegation from the Gallagher Premiership for breaching salary cap regulations by claiming a lifeline in their pursuit of a European quarter-final.

A draw would have ended their Champions Cup defence and rendered their season meaningless, but they now have a chance to progress that hinges on the outcome of Gloucester’s trip to Toulouse this afternoon.

And the double winners did it the hard way against Racing after suffering the early setback of losing Billy Vunipola to a suspected broken arm incurred as the England number eight carried the ball into contact.

Continue reading below…

WATCH: The European champions have failed to adhere to the league’s salary cap for the past three seasons.

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Eddie Jones names his Six Nations squad on Monday and will be monitoring the situation carefully knowing it would be the fourth time Vunipola has fractured one of his arms.

Saracens’ next wound was self-inflicted, however, as Australia lock Will Skelton was sent off for a high tackle on Brice Dulin moments before half-time.

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Extraordinary defence from Racing kept the black shirts at bay on the closing minutes as 14 battled 14 due to visiting open Bernard Le Roux being sin-binned, but Farrell intervened successfully when given his chance.

At least for a couple of hours, it spared Saracens further indignity after their relegation from the English top flight was confirmed on Saturday as punishment for failing to meet the demands of their rivals in addressing their salary cap indiscretion.

Roared on by fired-up home fans, they made a blistering start that swept them over the whitewash after 118 seconds.

Their intent was signalled when a kickable penalty was sent into touch and from the ensuing line-out fed a rampaging Mako Vunipola who was stopped just short before Maro Itoje arrived to finish.

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Elliot Daly’s perfectly-judged pass to Sean Maitland launched a fresh attack that ended when Mako Vunipola muscled his way over from another line-out with Racing scrum-half Teddy Iribaren sin-binned for a deliberate knock-on for good measure.

Mako’s younger brother Billy had already departed and control began to slip from the champions’ fingertips as Racing hit back when Virimi Vakatawa broke free down the right wing to touch down.

As news filtered through that Billy Vunipola had suffered another suspected broken arm, wing Louis Dupichot picked off Farrell’s pass to plunder an easy try.

And Saracens continued to unravel as holes opened up in their defence with uncharacteristic frequency, inviting irrepressible outside centre Vakatawa to dance in for his second try.

Skelton was sent off on the cusp of half-time and when play resumed Iribaren landed a long-range penalty to extend Racing’s lead to 24-17.

But Saracens were not done yet as Daly – among his team’s best performers – made ground for Brad Barritt to direct a chip over the midfield that was gathered by Duncan Taylor for Itoje to score.

Farrell landed the conversion to level but he was then the victim of a late tackle by Le Roux that earned the Racing openside a yellow card.

Daly was given the shot at goal but he pulled his kick horribly wide but Saracens looked to make amends by pounding away at the line with carry after carry.

Although held up over the line, they had won a penalty and Farrell made no mistake.

PA

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JO 28 minutes ago
URC teams aren't proving Stephen Donald wrong

BREAKING: NZ Rugby Launches National "Rebuilding Era" Hotline for Devastated Fans Calls triple after another loss to a Tier 1 nation with a functioning lineout.

In a bold move aimed at tackling a growing national crisis, New Zealand Rugby has unveiled a new 0800-REB-UILD hotline to offer emotional support to fans still trying to cope with the fact that the All Blacks are no longer the indestructible force of yesteryear.

Following yet another "promising" performance that ended in tears and post-match excuses, the hotline will be staffed by former All Blacks who’ll gently whisper “It used to be better” and play reruns of Richie McCaw highlights to soothe callers through the pain.

From Dynasty to "Developing Nation"?

Once feared like a Haka in a silent room, the All Blacks have now become the international equivalent of a banana peel — occasionally threatening, but mostly stepped over by teams with better coaching and a functioning scrum.

Rugby pundits are beginning to ask the real questions:

Should New Zealand be classified as a Tier 1.5 nation?

Is “We’re building for 2027” the new national anthem?

And most importantly: How many more assistant coaches do they need before they stop blaming the weather?

Fans Feeling the Burn

Die-hard Kiwi fans, long used to smugly reminding the world of their World Cup count, now find themselves angrily Googling the phrase "how to handle sporting mediocrity." Even the most loyal supporters have been caught muttering the unthinkable: “Maybe South Africa is just better now.”

In response, social media has been flooded with support messages like:

“At least you’re not Australia.”

“Remember 2011?”

“Hey, there’s always the Crusaders... oh wait.”

A Look to the Future (Or Just the Past Again)

New Zealand Rugby has reportedly asked Peter Jackson to create a new fantasy trilogy titled "The Return of the Glory Days," with Sam Cane playing Frodo — a brave but slightly out-of-depth hero wandering through the Northern Hemisphere hoping someone still respects him.

Meanwhile, the NZRU has committed to innovation, announcing a new strategy based on ancient Maori wisdom: when the canoe is sinking, blame the oars.

Conclusion: Still Dangerous, But Not Scary

Let’s be clear — the All Blacks can still turn up on their day. But these days, "on their day" feels more like a national holiday than a regular occurrence. Until then, enjoy the trolling, stay humble (unlike them in 2015), and remember — world rugby is more fun when New Zealand isn't always winning.

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Pablo King 36 minutes ago
Don't get out over your skis on the Highlanders

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