Five-try Caluori shines as Saracens sweep aside Sale

The Prem.

Saracens (22) 65

Gonzalez, Caluori 5, Tizard, Burke, Earl Cons: Farrell 5 Pens: Farrell

Sale (14) 14

At StoneX Stadium, Saracens defeated Sale Sharks to finish second in the Prem by a fantastic performance from 19-year-old Noah Caluori.

Caluori, who had already scored 10 tries in his first Prem debut, scored five tries for the hosts to recover from impressive derby defeat against Harlequins last weekend.

The hosts comfortably earned their third bonus-point victory of the season with further tries from Hugh Tizard, Fergus Burke, Ben Earl, and a penalty try, as well as 13 points kicked by Owen Farrell.

The visitors opened the scoring with a sixth-minute dive from the back of a ruck following a strong pass from Cowan-Dickie, but there was a chance of a forward pass in the build-up.

Saracens responded by celebrating Maro Itoje’s 200th appearance for the club with a pick-and-drive that saw him crash over and get the hosts on the board on his first start of the season.

Sale center Du Preez dummyed Caluori before diving to the left of the sticks in the middle of the first period as a result of a coordinated move.

However, that was only good for Sale, and Saracens took the lead after Farrell hit the post with a penalty from 30 yards out thanks to Caluori’s superb line-break, which left Arron Reed clutching his head in style for a fantastic score.

As the second half progressed, Sarries lock Tizard received a bonus point for his diving into the left corner, and Cowan-Dickie was red card for his high tackle while defending the try-line.

With two more men, Jamie George found the right pass before Caluori went over for his second of the game, which scuppered Sale’s chances of getting back into the game.

The Sale graduate ran in under the posts after passing three Sale defenders, including George Ford, in the closing minutes of the match.

After Saracens’ seventh try, Lucio Cinti unselfishly set up Burke to run in his own, perfectly timed kick from Caluori, who in turn found Earl dotting down his first try of the season.

Replacements: J. Bracken, Onyeama-Christie, Simpson, Carre, Street, Wilson, Isiekwe, and Dan Carre.

Sale Sharks: O’Flaherty, Roebuck, R. du Preez, Louw, Reed, Ford, Warr, Rodd, Cowan-Dickie, Opuku-Fordjour, Bamber, Andrews, van Rhyn (capt), Woodman, Dugdale.

Jibulu, McIntyre, Harper, Burrow, Caine, Quirke, Ma’asi-White, James as replacements.

Sin-bin: O’Flaherty (40 mins).

Cowan-Dickie receives a red card for 44 minutes.