Saracens vs Bristol Bears LIVE: Result and reaction from Premiership match today
Re-live the latest action from Allianz Park as reigning champions Saracens look to continue their relegation survival efforts against top-four chasing Bristol
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Your support makes all the difference.Follow the latest updates live from the Premiership clash between Saracens and Bristol Bears at Allianz Park.
In what has been a tumultuous season at Saracens already, the reigning Premiership champions face one of the most-improved teams this season in the shape of Pat Lam’s Bristol looking to claw back further ground on the pack following their 35-point deduction for breaching the salary cap.
But Bristol, flying high in second place, could go top of the table with a victory and will plan on causing a major upset at Allianz Park to not only continue their strong start to the season but send out a major statement of their title credentials. Follow the live updates below.
When is it?
Saracens vs Bristol takes place at Allianz Park on Saturday 21 December.
What time does it start?
The match kicks off at 3pm.
Where can I watch it?
The game will not be shown live on television in the United Kingdom, but you can follow live updates from Allianz Park with The Independent.
Teams
Saracens: Max Malins; Sean Maitland, Nick Tompkins, Brad Barritt, Elliot Daly; Owen Farrell, Ben Spencer; Mako Vunipola, Jamie George, Vincent Koch; Maro Itoje, George Kruis; Nick Isiekwe, Ben Earl, Billy Vunipola.
Replacements: Jack Singleton, Rhys Carre, Titi Lamositele, Will Skelton, Jackson Wray, Richard Wigglesworth, Duncan Taylor, Alex Lewington.
Bristol: Charles Piutau; Luke Morahan, Piers O;Conor, Sam Bedlow, Toby Fricker; Callum Sheedy, Andy Uren; Jake Woolmore, Harry Thacker, John Afoa; Joe Joyce, Chris Vui; Steven Luatua, Jake Heenan, Nathan Hughes.
Replacements: Will Capon, James Lay, Max Lahiff, Ed Holmes, Luke Hamilton, Harry Randall, Ioan Lloyd, Alapati Leiua.
Referee: Tom Foley
56 mins: Saracens 28-13 Bristol Bears
Saracens think they've scored another...it goes tot he TMO...
56 mins: Saracens 33-13 Bristol Bears
Well that's a controversial one. The move itself is great - George wraps around off his lineout and when he's scragged he throws the ball to Farrell. Farrell passes to Tomkpins, who hurls a lovely flat pass to Maitland. The wing surges up the right tramline, and as he flirts with touch he thrown the ball inside that comes off the head of the Bristol defender before bouncing kindly for Malins to juggle and score his second. However, there's a question mark over Maitland's left boot and whether his heel is in touch, and Malins may even have dropped it too.
But after viewing the replays Foley is happy with both and gives the try. Bristol aren't happy with that one, while Farrell misses the conversion this time around. 33-13.
63 mins: Saracens 40-13 Bristol Bears
This period of being down to 14 has really hurt Bristol. Again Saracens flood through with the attack, and the ball is worked out wide right to Maitland in space. He's trapped short of the line but they recycle possession and Wigglesworth goes to the narrow side to Brad Barritt, who burrows low and drives over the line to score. Farrell adds the conversion before heading off along with Billy Vunipola and Maitland, and that's a sign of job done for Saracens. 40-13
69 mins: Saracens 47-13 Bristol Bears
Duncan Taylor, on for Farrell, makes a good tackle on Lloyd and allows Earl to get over the ball and win the penalty deep in the Bristol 22. Saracens go to the corner, and from a collapsed driving maul they spread right to Barritt at first receiver. The centre puts the low chip through, and Tompkins races onto the ball to touch down and score his second of the match via a TMO check. Daly takes the conversion in Farrell's absence and Saracens are running riot. 47-13
73 mins: Saracens 47-13 Bristol Bears
Barritt thinks he's got his second, but after the briefest of TMO reviews he's judged to have moved after the tackle and is penalised as a result. That's a let-off for Bristol, but you sense the home side want to see the 50 up.
77 mins: Saracens 47-13 Bristol Bears
Bristol are having their first real phase of possession this half, and there's only three minutes left of it, such has been the dominance Saracens have had this half. Eventually, the knock-on comes and Saracens will have a last chance to bring up the half-century.
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