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European Champions Cup - Talking Points

Saracens will suffocate their opposition into defeat

The Dan Robson try early on certainly knocked the wind out of Sarries. Aimless up and under kicks from Alex Goode allowed the Wasps back three to call their marks, and re-form. Clarence kicks going out on the full to give Wasps vital territory that look like it could wear Saracens down.

Not so, Sarries regrouped, they began to do what they do best and control the ball, slow the game down, and let the penalty count rack up.

They’re ruthlessly efficient. They kept the ball in the Wasps half, and were only too happy to stop them from spreading the ball. Neatly bringing me onto my next point.

Just… Give the ball to Christian Wade

Wade got the ball out wide three times during the game. The first, he set up one of the most flamboyant try of the entire round, the second he took four defenders out of the game and danced 50 meters down the side-line, and the third he opened up the defence before getting the offload back inside to keep the ball alive.

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He was mesmerising, but by Sarries keeping the ball and slowing the game down they minimised Wasps opportunity to score.

No part of the pitch is safe from goal kick penalties

OK so Johannes Goosen got the long ranger that really rubbed salt in the eyes of Leicester fans, but Racing spent the entire game shutting out Leicester with massive hits and impenetrable defence.

This stopped Leicester from gaining momentum, and forces them to try and play more rugby. That’s when mistakes set in.

They frustrated the opposition into giving up possession, and when that happened, Carter was only too happy to add three points… every time. And apart from one missed drop kick, he was on point all day.

Games aren’t always won at this level anymore. They’re lost by giving away penalties where you can only stand and watch the kicker swing his foot at the ball.

Carter can be the difference between victory and defeat

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Carter was a major architect in Sunday’s victory. And though Irish fans may not want to hear it, he’s the common denominator after a few shaky seasons under Sexton.

He had a master class with ball in hand, barely set a foot wrong with the boot, and in just four months has cemented himself as a crucial member of the Racing set up.People talk about Messi as a one in a generation player. Carter can’t avoid setting a rugby field alight, and has done so for 11 years and counting.

All eyes to Lyon. Four in a row for the French?

Written by Andrew McNair for www.TheRugbyPod.com