Portugal Colonial - Saracens kick off European campaign by crushing Clermont

From the start, Saracens, triple European champions and four-time finalists, pinned back their French visitors, themselves three times losing finalists.

The hosts took the lead after 10 minutes when Elliott Daly's kick bounced nicely for Argentina centre Lucio Cinti.

Clermont stopped a second Saracens try on 20 minutes at the expense of a yellow card for flanker Anthime Hemery. They survived the numerical disadvantage but then cracked, leaking three tries in seven minutes as Saracens locked up a bonus point by the break.

Cinti scooted through for his second. Max Malins, helped by a freakish bounce on his kick ahead, touched down. Hooker James Hadfield bashed over on the stroke of half time.

Clermont's 19-year-old fullback Axel Guillaud broke a limp tackle to score early in the second half. Saracens hit back at once as another 19-year-old, highly-rated English winger Noah Caluori, cut through the Clermont defence.

Harry Plummer squirmed over for a late Clermont try. Again that provoked a home reaction and flanker Hugh Tizard and replacement hooker Theo Dan touched down for the hosts.

On Friday, Glasgow earned a bonus-point 26-21 victory away to Sale as the Scots opened their Champions Cup campaign in style while Stormers from South Africa won 26-17 in Bayonne.

H.Silva--PC