Farrell shows what fans will miss after completely overshadowing Smith

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In the week that Owen Farrell appeared to leave the door ajar for a future England return, the Saracens captain produced the kind of bristling, dominant all-court display in this statement victory that leaves his club and country in no doubt what they will be missing when he departs for Racing 92 for two years next season.
With his father Andy, fresh from guiding Ireland to the Six Nations title, in the stands at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Farrell utterly outplayed his Harlequins opposite number Marcus Smith, showing that the 32-year-old remains at the top of his game on an emotional 250th appearance for his club.
Farrell converted six of his side’s eight tries but it was his ability to set the tone by the manner of which he ran the Saracens backline that was key to a victory so utterly emphatic that at one stage Jamie George, the England captain, was pictured covering his face on the sidelines to mask his seeming disbelief at the ease at their ability to gut their fierce Premiership rivals.
“He played as good as I have seen him for a very long time and it look like it mattered to him today,” said Mark McCall, the Saracens director of rugby, who revealed his fly-half was afterwards presented with a commentative jersey by Jack Johnson, the boy who suffers from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy for whom Farrell has been campaigning for by raising awareness of the ‘Joining Jack’ charity.
“He’s going to be like that for the rest of the season, hopefully. It was his 250th appearance. He didn’t enjoy being the centre of attention during the week, but the players wanted to make it special for him.”
“Harlequins will happily sign his leaving card!”Owen Farrell’s history-making day continues as he tops the most points scored against one club in the #GallagherPrem 🤯#TheShowdown4 pic.twitter.com/SeLWCFugqg
Theo Dan gave us a glimpse too of the post-George future for England, with a remarkable carrying display, one that yielded two tries as Saracens once again demonstrated their ability to harness momentum of their England players returning to the fold from international action when others appear to be content with going through the motions.
Ben Earl picked up where he left off from his barnstorming England displays while Elliot Daly excelled at full-back, reminding England head coach Steve Borthwick of his exquisite skills.
It proved to be little more than a glorified training run for McCall’s side, who delivered the kind of statement performance founded on a ferocious defensive display that suggests they are fully equipped for the sprint finish to the Premiership title. They were well worth their eight tries.
It may have been marketed as ‘The Showdown’, and over 61,000 supporters packed out the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to create a carnival atmosphere, but it was an embarrassingly one-sided contest. Harlequins, who had started the game two places above Saracens in second place in the table, simply didn’t turn up, dropping to fifth in the standings with Saracens replacing them in second, just three points behind Northampton Saints.
It took just 27 minutes for McCall’s side to secure their four-try bonus point, when the magnificent Sean Maitland powered over for his second try, but in truth the game was gone even before then.
Farrell was irresistible, mixing up long passes with chip-kicks, Earl fired through half-gaps, Theo McFarland provided breath-taking rangy physicality while Juan Martin Gonzalez was a totemic figure in the forward exchanges.
The tone had been set from the kick off, with a wide pass from Farrell to Rotimi Segun launching the attack on the right-hand side. A penalty ensued but Juan Martin Gonzalez drove on to the left of the posts, and then quick hands created half a gap for Alex Lewington and the Saracens wing finished with aplomb.
The fast and furious start by Saracens continued as they looked to their pack to turn the screw.
A succession of drives from five-metre line-outs culminated in a yellow card for Quins flanker Stephan Lewies. The pressure told at the next line-out, with Dan driving over for Saracens’ second.
A floated pass by Farrell enabled Maitland to cross for a third try before the end of the first quarter after a break and offload by McFarland with Lucio Cinti initially providing the support. The rout continued as a sumptuous pass through his legs by Daly that opened up the Quins defence for Maitland to finish for his second. George, starting the game as a replacement, could only gasp at what he was seeing.
Elliot Daly that pass was something else 😲Look away Harlequins fans, @Saracens have taken try number four in under 30 minutes! 😱#GallagherPrem | #TheShowdown4 pic.twitter.com/geI9Um4P4H
Saracens lead was extended to 31 points when Dan drove over for his second from another line-out. Soon after the restart and although Alex Dombrandt managed to cut the deficit with a try, there was never any prospect of a Quins revival. Saracens powered on, passing the half century of points with further tries by Lucio Cinti, Juan Martin Gonzalez and Alex Goode.
“We came into this game second in the league and at home in the next stage of Europe and we have built that over a long period but this game reminds you, and Saracens being as a good a side as they are, that if you are slightly off you are in trouble and we were more than slightly off today,” said Danny Wilson,
Scintillating @Saracens 🤩The #GallagherPrem title holders are making their intentions loud and clear 💫#TheShowdown4 pic.twitter.com/oAWHP0GEdp
🗣️ “I’ve given myself a bit of space over the last eight weeks to get back to enjoying myself, and I want to carry that on.”Owen Farrell speaks to the crew on his time away from international duty and Saracens end of season push. #GallagherPrem | #SARvHAR | @Saracens pic.twitter.com/AOmtK32sk5
🗣️ “If our best player is doing it, then everyone else has to follow.”Billy Vunipola speaks to @HughWoozencroft, @ChrisRobshaw and @topsy_ojo about Owen Farrell’s impact and Saracens’ ambitions for the run-in 🙌#GallagherPrem | #SARvHAR pic.twitter.com/cDTFRu9SId
“We love being back together” 🙌#GallagherPrem Player of the match @elliotdaly reflects on how important today’s result was and how @Saracens can continue to improve moving forward 🌟#TheShowdown4 pic.twitter.com/E7RYUworEy
With that emphatic victory, Saracens have moved up to second on 41 points, just three points behind leaders Northampton who lost at Bristol last night. With their win against Newcastle, Exeter have moved up to third on 40 points. Harlequins have dropped to fifth on 37 points.
It has also finished at Sandy Park where Exeter have beaten Newcastle 25-16.
Northmore is bundled into touch and that is it at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. An absolute mauling. Saracens have destroyed Harlequins 52-7.
#TheShowdown4 = To Script? 📝Win a Limited Edition @StoneX_Official 100th anniversary coin 👇🪙 https://t.co/aZCerXJvyP#YourSaracens💫 #FT#SARvHAR#TheShowdown4@StoneX_Official pic.twitter.com/WLiMzx8bEO
Demolished 💥@Saracens with a huge derby day win over Harlequins ⚫️🔴#GallagherPrem #SARvHAR #TheShowdown4 pic.twitter.com/nlLkjqX5eU
Harlequins knock on but they win a penalty still inside the Saracens 22.
Lewington is rightly sent to the bin for a high shot on Green so in the final minute Harlequins will have a line-out inside Saracens’ 22.
There is a check for high tackle from Lewington on Green…
Farrell is penalised for not releasing and Harlequins go quickly. They go towards the Saracens 22 but they lose possession, which just about sums up their day.
Harlequins get to within a few metres of the Saracens line but at the crucial moment they knock on and the chance is gone.
Harlequins win a penalty inside the Saracens half so they will kick towards the corner. This has been a humiliating afternoon for Harlequins.
Yet another try for Saracens. This is a mauling as they take advantage of a man-advantage. They break down the left and Gonzalez finds Goode inside him as Saracens hit 50. Farrell nails the conversion. Saracens lead 52-7.
70 | What a way to bring up 5⃣0⃣!Sarries fly forward again in attack, with Lewington finding Gonzalez out wide. The Argentine checks back inside and offloads to @Alex_goode0, who swivels and races over!💫 50 🃏 7#SARvHAR @SimbaSleep pic.twitter.com/419W7zOfpE
Saracens win a penalty just outside the Harlequins 22 and they go quickly. They have a penalty advantage and shift the ball wide to the right. Maitland comes close to getting his hat-trick but he flicks it back in-field before he goes into touch. Gonzalez picks it up and goes over for the try. To make things worse Care has been sent to the bin in the build-up to the try. Farrell lands a superb kick from the touchline.
David has only just come on for Harlequins but he is heading off within a few minutes as he looks in a fair bit of pain with what looks like a shoulder injury. Max Green, who is a scrum-half, is coming on for the winger/ fullback David.
Saracens have their sixth try of the afternoon. Tompkins makes the break through the Harlequins defensive line and offloads to his outside to Daly. He has a simple pass on offer inside to Cinti which he executes and the Argentine Cinti goes over. Farrell lands the easy conversion.
Scintillating @Saracens 🤩The #GallagherPrem title holders are making their intentions loud and clear 💫#TheShowdown4 pic.twitter.com/oAWHP0GEdp
When the ball goes loose, George hacks forward which puts Smith under pressure from his opposite number Farrell. Harlequins manage to clear their lines just outside their own 22.
Both sides have changed their entire front-rows, which includes current England captain George coming on to replace Dan, who scored two tries this afternoon.
The game is most likely beyond them but finally Harlequins get on the scoreboard. They set the maul and Dombrandt goes down the short-side and reaches for the line. Smith’s touchline conversion is successful.
💪 YES DOMMERS!#COYQ #SARvHAR pic.twitter.com/6UfHgIbOiX
Captain Dombrandt to the rescue 🦸‍♂️The @Harlequins skipper gets his side off the mark with their first try!#GallagherPrem | #TheShowdown4 pic.twitter.com/cGjAVpEvP1
Tompkins takes Care out at the ruck so Harlequins will have the penalty. Smit is kicking to the corner as three points are no use to Harlequins when they are 31 points down. Harlequins will have the line-out around five metres out.
A little bit of respite for Harlequins as Launchbury wins a penalty on the edge of his own 22 at the breakdown.
B Vunipola is the man who they are looking at in the maul but referee Christophe Ridley deems that he was pushed during the maul so there was no infringement in his eyes. Farrell lands the conversion and Saracens’ lead goes beyond 30 points.
The TMO has stepped in to stop Farrell taking the conversion.
This is too easy for Saracens. They set a maul and Dan goes over in a carbon-copy of his try in the first half. Harlequins are a little lucky not to see a player sin-binned.
Maitland makes a good break off a Saracens line-out into the Harlequins 22. Evans wants a penalty at the breakdown but he is penalised for putting his hands on the ground before going onto the ball. That was a good call from Christophe Ridley. Farrell kicks to five metres out.
Harlequins’ indiscretions continue at the start of the second half as Marler is penalised at the breakdown. Saracens kick to the edge of the Harlequins 22.
Dan’s throw is overthrown.
We are back under way at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Will Harlequins stage a dramatic comeback or will Saracens’ dominance in that first half continue into the second?
If you are a Saracens fan, this picture probably sums up your mood pretty well at this moment in time:
The reaction says it all 😱#YourSaracens💫 pic.twitter.com/sW3JwEVpgy
There is one other Gallagher Premiership game ongoing at the moment. It is also half time at Sandy Park, where the Exeter Chiefs lead Newcastle Falcons 22-13.
It is safe to say Harlequins have not been in this game so far. 40 minutes still to go and we know how dangerous Harlequins can be. But is this too far for Harlequins? It feels like this game is probably beyond them, especially against a side of Saracens’ calibre.
Tough first 4️⃣0️⃣ in North London.#COYQ #SARvHAR pic.twitter.com/L95su86Y9B
Harlequins end up back in their own 22 and Care decides to kick the ball out for half time. That is what you would call a one-sided half of rugby.
⏸️ Not a bad first half….Win a Limited Edition @StoneX_Official 100th anniversary coin 👇🪙 https://t.co/aZCerXJvyP#YourSaracens💫 #HT#SARvHAR#TheShowdown4@StoneX_Official pic.twitter.com/05u1d6VmuX
Good work from Harlequins in defence and they win an important penalty in front of their own sticks as Saracens are penalised for playing the ball on the floor.
The clock is in the red as Harlequins have a line-out near halfway.
Harlequins throw a forward pass deep inside their own 22 with just under two minutes left in this first half. Looking back at the replays it may have seemed a little harsh that call but Saracens will have the scrum.
Harlequins win the line-out but have been pushed back 10 metres. Eventually they lose the ball into touch and Saracens have the line-out. Saracens’ defence dominated Harlequins’ attack there.
Harlequins dominate at the scrum inside Saracens half and they have the penalty advantage. Referee Christophe Ridley brings play back for the penalty at the scrum. Harlequins, 24 points down, will go to the corner, not go for three.
Not even 30 minutes have passed and Saracens have their bonus point try. After a strong carry from Dan into the Harlequins 22, Saracens shift out to the right. Daly sends a pass through his legs to Lewington. He passes to Maitland outside him, who cuts inside Green to go over in the corner. Farrell’s touchline conversion misses. Saracens in complete and utter control of this game. Is there any way back for Saracens?
Elliot Daly that pass was something else 😲Look away Harlequins fans, @Saracens have taken try number four in under 30 minutes! 😱#GallagherPrem | #TheShowdown4 pic.twitter.com/geI9Um4P4H
Harlequins captain Lewies has returned to the pitch from his sin-bin.
Dombrandt holds on to the ball and referee Christophe Ridley pings him for it. Saracens will be able to clear their lines. Harlequins really needed something from that entry into the Saracens 22.
Farrell is penalised for stripping the ball on the ground when tackling Smith and for the first time today Harlequins will have the chance to make an entry into Saracens’ 22. Smith’s kick is not great and Harlequins line-out will be from around 15 metres out instead of perhaps five.
Saracens are running riot in the opening 20 minutes as they have their third try. McFarland makes the break into Harlequins’ half, offloads to Daly who finds Cinti inside him. Saracens then shift it the other side and Farrell finds Maitland on the right-hand wing with a long, floated pass and Maitland has the easiest of finishes. Farrell misses the conversion.
“Quins are being undressed!” 😳@Saracens punish the Harlequins defence with a third try in 17 minutes 🔥#GallagherPrem | #TheShowdown4 pic.twitter.com/vALTdP6nFl
Saracens set the maul and hooker Dan makes his way over the line at the back of the rolling maul. There has only been one side in this game so far and that is Saracens. Two tries in the bag already and Harlequins down a man in the sin-bin. Farrell lands another quality conversion from near the touchline.
13 | Maul perfection! Theo Dan is over for the second!💫 12 🃏 0#SARvHAR@SimbaSleep pic.twitter.com/aaMFMuDDgU
Harlequins infringe again and it is their captain Lewies who is sent to the bin. Another five-metre line-out for Saracens.
Another penalty for Saracens at the maul. Marler the culprit for his entry at the maul. Harlequins close to a yellow card here. Farrell kicks to the corner…
Saracens are awarded another penalty at the maul. Harlequins are under huge pressure already in this game as unsurprisingly Saracens go to the corner once again.
Both sides lose possession and then gain it back but Saracens have it in Harlequins’ 22. Harlequins think they are about to win the turnover but Marler is penalised for not rolling away. Farrell goes to the corner…
Farrell attempts a crossfield kick towards Gonzalez on the wing inside the Harlequins 22 but Green makes a great grab and calls the mark.
Lewies is penalised for not keeping his feet in the ruck so Saracens have a penalty near halfway. Farrell kicks into the Harlequins 22.
It has been all Saracens so far and inside three minutes they have the first try of the afternoon. They had a penalty advantage near the Harlequins line and they shift the ball out to the left wing, where Daly offloads to Lewington, who pushes through the tackle of Smith and goes over in the corner. Farrell’s conversion from near the touchline is successful.
The Showdown has sparked into life 🔥@Saracens mean business with @AlexLewington48 delivering the first try of the game in 2 minutes!#GallagherPrem | #TheShowdown4 pic.twitter.com/cCcLZ5L2lR
Dan makes a break through the middle into the Harlequins 22. Farrell dinks a kick in behind and a couple of Saracens are bearing down on it, but it is knocked on so Harlequins will have a goal-line drop out.
We are under way at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Showdown 4 begins.
Both sides have emerged from the tunnel and we are just moments away from kick off at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Saracens captain Owen Farrell walks out with his children ahead of his teammates on his 250th appearance for the club.
There has been an injury during the warm ups for Saracens. Winger Rotimi Segun has been ruled out of the game with a tight calf so Sean Maitland has come onto the wing in the starting XV for Saracens.
Emotional moment as Owen Farrell leads out the Saracens team with his two children on his 250th appearance for the club.
The man of the moment 🌟Owen Farrell steps out with sons Tommy and Freddie on his 250th cap for @Saracens 🙌 pic.twitter.com/DNJYCBXpZz
 
Saracens: 1 Mako Vunipola, 2 Theo Dan, 3 Christian Judge, 4 Theo McFarland, 5 Hugh Tizard, 6 Juan Martin Gonzalez, 7 Ben Earl, 8 Billy Vunipola; 9 Ivan van Zyl, 10 Owen Farrell (c), 11 Alex Lewington, 12 Nick Tompkins, 13 Lucio Cinti, 14 Rotimi Segun, 15 Elliot Daly
Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Eroni Mawi, 18 Marco Riccioni, 19 Nick Isiekwe, 20 Tom Willis, 21 Andy Christie, 22 Gareth Simpson, 23 Alex Goode
Harlequins: 1. Joe Marler 2. Jack Walker 3. Will Collier 4. Joe Launchbury 5. George Hammond 6. Stephan Lewies (Captain) 7. Will Evans 8. Alex Dombrandt 9. Danny Care 10. Marcus Smith 11. Cadan Murley 12. Andre Esterhuizen 13. Oscar Beard 14. Louis Lynagh 15. Tyrone Green
Replacements: 16. Sam Riley 17. Fin Baxter 18. Dillon Lewis 19. Irne Herbst 20. Will Trenholm 21. Max Green 22. Luke Northmore 23. Nick David    
Is Owen Farrell @Saracens’ greatest player ever?@dallaglio8 and @ChrisAshton1 share why they think there’s no doubt that he is 🌟🎙️ @UgoMonye#GallagherPrem | #TheShowdown4 pic.twitter.com/sXZSD9GrH4
“I owe a lot to this club, to this team” ❤️Ahead of his 250th @Saracens cap, Captain Owen Farrell reflects with @Sarraelgan on his time at the club 💬 pic.twitter.com/a9rDzqBQ88
Focus mode 🔛#COYQ #SARvHAR pic.twitter.com/ACAxhir5EI
World Down Syndrome Day was on Thursday and to mark the occasion, both sides will wear odd socks this afternoon.
In recognition of #WorldDownSyndromeDay Harlequins will join @Saracens in wearing odd socks this afternoon 🙌#COYQ #SARvHAR #LotsOfSocks pic.twitter.com/NGTtviyX0c
Who’s looking forward to seeing this man today? 🙋‍♂️#YourSaracens💫 #TheShowdown4 pic.twitter.com/RbnMnazcrV
They are both starting for Saracens this afternoon but are the Vunipolas coming to the end of their time at the club? Our very own Ben Coles and Charlie Morgan are reporting that Billy is poised to join Montpellier next season, joining a growing list of English players in France, and Mako is also expected to leave.
Round 13 got underway last night. At Ashton Gate, Bristol Bears convincingly beat league leaders Northampton 52-21. At Welford Road, a late try from Italy scrum-half Stephen Varney sealed Gloucester a dramatic 27-25 win away at Leicester Tigers.
Kicking off five minutes before this game at 3pm, Exeter Chiefs host bottom of the league Newcastle Falcons at Sandy Park.
In the building 🧱#COYQ #SARvHAR pic.twitter.com/GqURnsZau1
😉 𝗡𝗢 𝗛𝗬𝗣𝗘 𝗡𝗘𝗖𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗔𝗥𝗬 🙅🏻‍♂️It’s London’s battle. #YourSaracens💫 #TheShowdown4 pic.twitter.com/vJiWZphBXC
Saracens welcome back some of their England internationals from Six Nations duty.  Ben Earl, Theo Dan, Jamie George and Elliot Daly are in the matchday squad but Maro Itoje is not involved. Owen Farrell starts at fly-half and captains the side on his 250th appearance.
Saracens: 1 Mako Vunipola, 2 Theo Dan, 3 Christian Judge, 4 Theo McFarland, 5 Hugh Tizard, 6 Juan Martin Gonzalez, 7 Ben Earl, 8 Billy Vunipola; 9 Ivan van Zyl, 10 Owen Farrell (c), 11 Alex Lewington, 12 Nick Tompkins, 13 Lucio Cinti, 14 Rotimi Segun, 15 Elliot Daly
Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Eroni Mawi, 18 Marco Riccioni, 19 Nick Isiekwe, 20 Tom Willis, 21 Andy Christie, 22 Gareth Simpson, 23 Alex Goode
Harlequins include six returning internationals from the Six Nations. Joe Marler, Alex Dombrandt, Danny Care and Marcus Smith return from England duty whilst Italy’s Louis Lynagh and Wales’ Dillon Lewis are also included in the matchday 23. Andre Esterhuizen, who will join the Sharks in South Africa in the summer, starts at inside centre. Luke Northmore could make his first appearance since October from the bench.
Harlequins: 1. Joe Marler 2. Jack Walker 3. Will Collier 4. Joe Launchbury 5. George Hammond 6. Stephan Lewies (Captain) 7. Will Evans 8. Alex Dombrandt 9. Danny Care 10. Marcus Smith 11. Cadan Murley 12. Andre Esterhuizen 13. Oscar Beard 14. Louis Lynagh 15. Tyrone Green
Replacements: 16. Sam Riley 17. Fin Baxter 18. Dillon Lewis 19. Irne Herbst 20. Will Trenholm 21. Max Green 22. Luke Northmore 23. Nick David    
The Six Nations is over and now it is time to turn our attention back to the Gallagher Premiership. After a two-month break during the Six Nations, the Premiership returns with six games remaining in the regular season so it is a sprint to the finish. The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is the scene this afternoon as bitter London rivals Saracens and Harlequins take each other on. 
Saracens captain Owen Farrell will run out for the 250th time in front of 60,000 fans at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Farrell will end his 16-year association with Saracens at the end of the season as he will join French side Racing 92 in the summer.
Saracens chief executive Mark Thompson has admitted that Farrell’s departure will be a big loss not just for Saracens, but English rugby as a whole.
“There’s no getting away from it, he’s a huge loss for us, an enormous loss,” Thompson told the BBC.
“Both the skills he brings as a rugby player and as a leader on the pitch, but also in the day-to-day at the training ground.
“We feel confident that we have the structures in place to move forward from that but clearly you don’t replace someone of his stature on and off the pitch overnight.
“It’ll be a huge loss for the club and the English game as a whole.”
Ahead of his 250th Saracens appearance, Farrell has described his excitement at reaching the milestone on this occasion.
“To be able to play that amount of games, especially with this group, is special. I’ve been here since I was 14, I’ve grown up at this place and my best mates are from here.
“The Showdown is always a massive occasion, but to play my 250th game for the club on that occasion, with my friends and family around me watching, will be brilliant.
“I’ve played there for a few years now and the occasion is massive. It’s nice to have a big one for such a milestone. Hopefully it will be something I can look back on and feel proud of.
“Going into the back end of the season we’re looking forward to making it the best we can and there’s plenty of opportunities to do that.”
Going into this afternoon’s game, Harlequins sit second in the table, two places and one point above Saracens.