Saracens v Bristol (Sat) - GP - Final Weekend

[getofmeland]

<div align="center"> Saracens v Bristol (Sat)</div> GUINNESS PREMIERSHIP
Date: Saturday, 10 May Kick-off: 1500 BST Venue: Stadium MK
Coverage: Live commentary on BBC Radio Bristol 94.9 FM, 103.6 FM and 1548 AM; live scores on BBC Sport website

Saracens legend Richard Hill plays his final game before retirement, while it is Alan Gaffney's last game as director of rugby before Eddie Jones takes over.

Alex Goode, 20, makes his debut at fly-half, while fellow England Under-20 youngster Noah Cato is on the wing.

Bristol give youngsters Ray Hogan, Redford Pennycook and Haydn Thomas their first competitive starts.

Pennycook starts in the back row, while Thomas plays at scrum-half and Hogan comes in at loose head prop.

Meanwhile, Sarries will be captained by the fit-again Neil de Kock, while forwards Matt Cairns, Cobus Visagie and Ben Skirving also return.

The match has been switched to Stadium MK in Milton Keynes because Sarries are unable to play at their usual Vicarage Road home within 24 hours of landlords Watford, who have a Championship play-off semi-final earlier that day.

Departing Saracens director of rugby Alan Gaffney on his two years in charge:
"I'd like to think that's not a bad return and we have come a long way in that time, but there is still a lot of work to do in terms of our consistency.

"I've really enjoyed my spell at the club and a pleasing aspect is that we have developed our own style of play and it's something the players enjoy.

"That will carry on next season and with the additions to the squad, and under Eddie, the club will continue to develop and I'm confident that Saracens will get where it wants to go."

Bristol assistant coach John Brain told BBC Radio Bristol he expects Saracens to bounce back from last week's drubbing at Bath: "They'll be reeling from that and they'll want to do especially well because it's Richard Hill's final game.

"So it's a massive test for us - the script is that we turn up, we roll over, they give him a lap of honour, we get on the bus and we go home.

"I think it's a lot to do with our attitude on the day, whether the guys can respond and want to play and want to really give a good account of themselves."

Saracens: Haughton, Cato, Sorrell, Powell, Ratuvou, Goode, de Kock (capt), Lloyd, Cairns, Visagie, Ryder, Chesney, Gustard, Hill, Skirving. Replacements: Ongaro, Johnston, Fullarton, Barrell, Dickens, Ross, Penney.

Bristol: Arscott; Elliott, NBrew, Eves, Lemi; Barnes, Thomas; Hogan, Linklater, Bracken; Sambucetti, Budgett; Grieve, Pennycook, Ward-Smith (capt). Replacements: Prosser, Crompton, Hohneck, To'oala, Beveridge, Barden, Higgitt.

Story from BBC SPORT:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/sport1/hi...ish/7388112.stm

 

[getofmeland]

<div align="center">Saracens 25-20 Bristol
</div> Saracens (15) 25
Tries: Haughton, Kato, Ratuvou Cons: Goode 2 Pens: Goode 2
Bristol (13) 20
Tries: Eves 2 Cons: Barnes 2 Pens: Barnes 2

<div align="center">

Hill brought the curtain down on a brilliant 15-year career
</div>
Richard Hill ended his 15-year career on a winning note as Kameli Ratuvou's last-minute try earned Saracens a win over Bristol in Milton Keynes.

Two tries from centre Luke Eves looked to have given the visitors the victory with the scores at 20-18 before Ratuvou's touchdown in the left corner.

Debutant Sarries fly-half Alex Goode impressed kicking 10 points, the same haul as opposite number Ed Barnes.

Full-back Richard Haughton and winger Noah Cato scored Saracens' other tries.

The victory was a fitting finale for England World Cup-winning flanker Hill, who received an outstanding ovation from both sets of fans after the final whistle.

Saracens, playing their final game of the season at Stadium MK because of Watford's involvement in the Championship play-offs, raced to a 15-3 lead in the opening 17 minutes. Haughton enhanced his prospects for an England call for the summer tour to New Zealand with a fine solo try on 11 minutes.

He also had a hand in their second try, feeding Cato to dive over in the right-hand corner.

But Bristol hit back through Eves and Barnes, reducing the arrears to two points at half time.

Eve's second put Bristol ahead for the first time in the match - converted by Barnes - before Ratuvou's last-gasp try sealed the points for Sarries.

The home side also bade to veteran flanker, Paul Gustard, along with director of rugby Alan Gaffney, who will be replaced by former Australia coach Eddie Jones next season.

Flanker Richard Hill on his final Saracens bow:
"I've had a lot of highs away from Saracens in terms of playing for England and the Lions but then there have been the lows of injury in recent years.

"But there are no regrets. There have been setbacks but they have probably made me more determined to rise even higher.

"It's been a very special 15 years but it isn't about me, it's about the team."

Saracens boss Alan Gaffney:
"I thought we were dire. We started off well but seemed to go into snooze mode for 20 minutes.

"We just couldn't build any pressure. We've shown we can turn in good performances this season but we've lacked consistency and that's something we need to put right."

Bristol assistant coach John Brain:
"We lost that game - Saracens didn't win it. Some people will say we were unlucky not to win the game but I don't buy that."

Saracens: Haughton, Cato, Sorrell, Powell, Ratuvou, Goode, de Kock (capt), Lloyd, Cairns, Visagie, Ryder, Chesney, Gustard, Hill, Skirving. Replacements: Ongaro, Johnston, Fullarton, Barrell, Dickens, Ross, Penney.

Bristol: Arscott; Elliott, N Brew, Eves, Lemi; Barnes, Thomas; Hogan, Linklater, Bracken; Sambucetti, Budgett; Grieve, Pennycook, Ward-Smith (capt). Replacements: Prosser, Crompton, Hohneck, To'oala, Beveridge, Barden, Higgitt.

From BBC Sport

 

[maddison]

What a way for Richard Hill to go, robbing 'til the very end