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
40 mins: Saracens 14-13 Bristol Bears
Wonderful stuff from the full-bak Max Malins! Saracens again get the penalty advantage, and with only Malins and Maitland not in the maul, you think it's a shot to nothing before coming back for the penalty. However, Spencer hurls a pass out to Malins that he picks up off his toes, and he fashions to send a cross-field kick out to Maitland only to step the on-rushing Bedlow and gas his way to the line.
Farrell adds the conversion and Saracens just about take a lead in at half-time.
Half-time: Saracens 14-13 Bristol Bears
Half-time: The teams emerge ready for the second half as we get this one-point game underway once again.
41 mins: Saracens 14-13 Bristol Bears
Bristol kick off to begin the second half!
43 mins: Saracens 14-13 Bristol Bears
Saracens get an early put-in inside the Bristol half that gives them a good platform to attack...TRY FOR SARACENS!
44 mins: Saracens 21-13 Bristol Bears
That's one for the end-of-season highlights reel! From the scrum, Maitland comes into the line off the blindside wing, receiving the ball from Spencer and passing left to Barrett. With Farrell looping round behind, Bristol's attentions are drawn to the fly-half and it allows Nick Tompkins to scythe through the heart of the defence, cutting back to round Frickley and touch down behind the posts. Farrell converts and Saracens build the lead. 21-13
48 mins: Saracens 28-13 Bristol Bears
This one is much more simple. Both Koch and Mako Vunipola drive the ball up into the Bristol 22 to get the hosts on the front foot, and from there Spencer comes left to Farrell, who pops a short pass to Earl on his left shoulder to gallop over. Farrell's conversion curls around the upright and through to increase the lead further. 28-13
52 mins: Saracens 28-13 Bristol Bears
It's getting worse for Bristol. Back-to-back penalties arise when Woolmore collects the ball offside from Piutau's drop, and then when Thacker enters the subsequent lineout maul from the side, referee Tom Foley has seen enough. The yellow card comes out and the hooker is sent to the sin-bin.
53 mins: Saracens 28-13 Bristol Bears
Changes for both sides. Titi Lamositele, Will Skelton and Richard Wigglesworth are on for Koch, Kruis and Spencer, while Bristol deploy Max Lahiff for Afoa. They're also forced to send on replacement hooker Will Capon for wing Frickley due to Thacker's yellow card.
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