by So far so good for Saracens, who now become the only Premiership side to boast a 100 per cent win record thanks to a comfortable win over Exeter. They made light of Maro Itoje’s injury absence with five tries, including two for Ben Earl, and condemned the winless Chiefs to an unwanted 100 per cent record of their own.
Steve Borthwick was in attendance to see Earl shine alongside the five other Saracens players in attendance from the squad he will call up on Monday (Itoje will also be in attendance) to begin preparations for England’s autumn season. Number 8 Tom Willis also impressed, but it was probably one of Saracens’ young players who caught the eye the most.
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In fact, Saracens have lost a host of stars over the summer, but a new one may have just been born. 21-year-old winger Tobias Elliott was among the tryscorers here – taking his record to three in three games – and assisted on two more. He has an impressive senior CV and Mark McCall has been pleased with his performances so far this season.
It is now Exeter’s third disappointing defeat. As they did against Northampton, they showed significant improvement in the second half, but Rob Baxter will not be pleased with how easily they allowed Saracens to build a decisive lead in the first half.
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Exeter played a crucial role in defense in the opening games. There remains a rivalry between these sides, having played three finals in four years before Saracens were relegated to the Championship, with Chiefs giving their best in the opening 15 minutes. What was telling, however, was the way Saracens took their first real chance to score. A penalty on half-way allowed Elliot Daly to shoot for a corner and Jamie George was run over by the ensuing lineout.
Elliott was next on the scoresheet, receiving the ball in his own half before slipping past two defenders and firing past Exeter full-back Josh Hodge. Another catch-and-drive, this time finished by Earl and Saracens on cruise control. Things threatened to get chaotic before a favorable result for the Chiefs. Hodge’s kick was fired downwards but straight into the path of Olly Woodburn. He passed the ball inside to the supporting Hodge, who showed quick pace and finished the ball under the post. However, any hopes of an Exeter comeback were quickly extinguished when Fergus Burke scored the bonus point try before half-time. Saracens put the ball through the hands to get Rhys Carré around Exeter’s defense. The prop man fed Elliott from the outside and a pass from the inside to Burke released the New Zealander.
Things quickly went downhill for Exeter after Ben Hammersley was shown a yellow card for a high tackle on Andy Onyeama-Christie, before Earl had his second shot down the right and Elliott was once again the provider. As is often the case, once the game had progressed effectively, Exeter got back into the swing of things, helped by scrum superiority. They scored another good try, finished by Hodge after sharp hands from Woodburn, but that was the best for the Chiefs, who must now prepare for the visit of high-flying Bristol on Saturday.
