Saracens 51 Cardiff Blues 25: Ben Earl leads second-half fight back as Sarries recover from slow start

A sensational second half performance from Saracens brought them a thumping Heineken Champions Cup win over Cardiff Blues at Allianz Park.

Having trailed by five points and scored just one try at the break, they produced a monstrous second half showing, scoring six tries to win 51-25.

Even as Sarries looked a touch sluggish as they toiled away into the wind in the first half, the sense was that they had the bench, the brains and the brawn to outlast Cardiff, who played some champagne rugby, most notably with Matthew Morgan’s wonderful solo score.

The first sub brought on, Ben Earl, made the initial impact, scoring twice in his first five minutes on the field at No8, while Ben Spencer and Christian Judge each crossed after coming off the bench.

Between times, Sean Maitland scored twice in two minutes. The intensity and ferocity of Sarries’ performance rose to a level they have not seen since their win over Gloucester in September. The product was their 21st game unbeaten. Another win in the reverse fixture next week would surely guarantee quarter-final qualification.

All of this made Sarries’ first half struggles seem a distant memory. They scored under the posts with their first meaningful piece of possession, then their first-half went pear-shaped. It had been a terrific try, Maitland fielding a box-kick and immediately making metres, then Brad Barritt half-breaking in midfield and having the wherewithal to release Alex Lozowski. He could have gone alone, but fed Richard Wigglesworth for a far simpler finish.

But Cardiff were unfazed, and hit back with superb tries from Blaine Scully and Morgan.

The first was a team effort, the product of phase after phase following a brave decision to send a kickable penalty to the corner. The second, though, was pure individual brilliance, with Morgan running 65 metres after taking Owen Farrell’s speculative kick, first stepping Maitland, then beating three others to pace to score a very special try.

With a five-point lead, they were able to be more pragmatic for the remainder of the half, trading two penalties apiece to lead 18-13 at the break. Saracens barged away at their line though, and had two tries chalked off – Mike Rhodes’ out wide when a stud slipped into touch, and Lozowski’s closer in for Maitland’s forward pass to Barritt.

Their uncharacteristic lack of accuracy in the opposition 22 cost them at least two other scores, and they could have no complaints about being behind.

A reaction was due, and it was powerful enough that they were able to withdraw man of the match Mako Vunipola – who was everywhere after eight weeks out with a calf injury – with 58 minutes on the clock and their bonus point secure.

Earl had come on moments after the break when Jackson Wray required an HIA – he did not need to return – and took five minutes to score twice, turning five point deficit into a seven-point lead.

He capitalised on Lozowski’s marauding run into the 22 by scoring in the corner, then popped up in midfield to run in an intercept. Minutes later, Earl could have had a third but was denied by the TMO in the corner. Not to worry, Maitland’s two tries put the game beyond doubt while the excellent Olly Robinson was in the sin bin.

Muscles flexed, five points secured and points difference healthily built up – Saracens were able to reflect on a very fine 40 minutes work.