sport news Bordeaux 45-12 Saracens: Sarries old guard are outclassed as they are crushed ... trends now
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In this famous wine-making region, it felt as if Saracens were reduced to a barrel of crushed grapes. They were bottled, corked and foiled as their European campaign — the last of the Owen Farrell era — ended with one of their most painful defeats.
Tom Willis scored a consolation try in the final play of the game, but Alex Goode let the shot-clock wind down so the referee could blow the final whistle. Sarries had suffered enough. A famous generation depart at the end of this season and this was a sorry way to end.
Bordeaux were rampantly superior. Mako Vunipola was slumped over the electronic advertising hoardings throughout the second half as he watched the French hosts run in try after try.
Built in 1924, this relic of a stadium has witnessed a century of changing sporting eras. It hosted football’s 1938 World Cup quarter-final between Brazil and Czechoslovakia. That match was remembered as the Battle of Bordeaux, after three players were sent off and half a dozen injured, with broken arms and legs.
These days it is home to the Begles rugby team and this performance was one of the very best they have seen from the Bordelais.
Maxime Lucu celebrates after scoring Bordeaux's second try in their win against Saracens
Saracens' final European campaign of the Owen Farrell era ended in a painful defeat
‘We’re gutted,’ said Saracens’ stand-in skipper Jamie George.
‘I wasn’t ready for this to be the last game for some club legends who are leaving at the end of the season. I love this group, a lot of my good mates are leaving and given the history we’ve been through in this competition, I didn’t want this to be the end.
‘At the same time, we put all our eggs in the Premiership basket and get excited about what’s to come between now and the end of the season.’
The players could barely hear their
