Saracens 30, Wasps 14: Mark McCall demands improvement despite Sarries’ demolition job on high-flyers
Saracens boss Mark McCall has demanded greater ruthlessness despite seeing the defending champions hit the Premiership’s summit with a bonus-point 30-14 victory over in-form Wasps at Allianz Park.
Hooker Jamie George climbed off the bench to score two late tries, adding to first-half touchdowns from prop Mako Vunipola and wing Mike Ellery, while Josh Bassett crossed the line for Wasps.
Victory ended Wasps’ 100 per cent start to the season and propelled the north London outfit above Dai Young’s team and into pole position, although McCall bemoaned his side’s ill-discipline.
“I thought we put Wasps under a lot of pressure, put them into lots of difficult situations,” said McCall. “But we didn’t always capitalise on the pressure we put them under, especially in the first half.
“We couldn’t sustain pressure in that first half because of our discipline. We gave away 10 or 11 penalties in the first half which were pretty soft, so it was a bit frustrating.
“But the players kept building the pressure on Wasps and it’s a great result for us. Our attack needs to get a bit better, but If we can put that together with the rest of our game that’ll be encouraging.”
The hosts led 13-8 at the break thanks to tries from Mako Vunipola and Ellery before two penalties from Wasps fly-half Jimmy Gopperth made the score 16-14, only for England hooker George to seal victory with his late salvo and put Sarries two points clear at the top.