Saracens made European Cup history by fulfilling their vow of ending Toulon’s unbeaten home record in the tournament. Sarries, who won the cup for the first time in May when they defeated Racing 92 in Lyon, stunned the partisan home crowd at Stade Mayol by taking a 25-6 lead in the first-half after a display of almost total rugby.
“We have thrived in the last few seasons on doing something we have not achieved before,” said the captain, Brad Barritt. “That was a huge motivating factor this week and to come here where neither Saracens nor any other side in Europe has won in this competition makes me very proud.”
Toulon, who won the European Cup in the three seasons before Saracens, have signed players from all over the world but it was an England hardcore of the Vunipola brothers, Maro Itoje, George Kruis, Jamie George and the returning Owen Farrell that left the Top 14 side unable to find answers.
“It was a performance from us that had everything,” said the Saracens director of rugby, Mark McCall. “We played some beautiful, outstanding attacking rugby in the first half and showed resilience in the second when we were twice reduced to 14 men as Toulon showed there was probably a reason why they had never been beaten at home in Europe before.
“They have some outstanding players and they stepped up in the second half. We had enough composure to complete the job and it feels very good right now. I cannot say enough about the players and the fight they showed. The way Owen played was remarkable, having the stamina at the end to chase down attackers and make tackles.
“We were determined not to let Toulon dictate the game defensively and that meant moving the ball. We showed our attacking qualities and Mako Vunipola showed that as a prop he has the skills of a centre.”
