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European Champions Cup | Group Stage
Oct 15, 2017 at 5.30pm UK
 
S
SaintsNorthampton Saints
13-57
Saracens
Haywood (75')
FT
Williams (11', 28'), Barritt (20'), Clark (39'), Koch (41'), Vunipola (64'), Lozowski (67'), Spencer (77')

Jim Mallinder praises "exceptional" Saracens after defeat at Franklin's Gardens

:Headline: Jim Mallinder praises 'exceptional' Saracens after defeat at Franklin's Gardens: ID:309644: from db_amp
Jim Mallinder concedes that Saracens "are a better side" than Northampton Saints after his team went down 57-13 in their European Rugby Champions Cup opener.

Northampton Saints director of rugby Jim Mallinder has admitted that his team can have no complaints after being dismantled by a ruthless Saracens side at Franklin's Gardens.

Back-to-back European Rugby Champions Cup winners Sarries kicked off their latest quest for silverware on the continent with a comfortable 57-13 victory on Sunday evening.

Wing Liam Williams crossed over twice as the visitors secured a four-try bonus point before the interval, leaving Mallinder under no illusion as to where the two teams currently stand on the European stage.

"They're a better side than us and we've got to be totally honest with that and put our hands up," BBC Sport quotes him as saying. "They've not lost in two and a half years in Europe and there's a reason for that.

"They're an exceptional side across the board. The game was over by half time and we've got to look at all those areas - set piece, first-up tackles, high balls. They've got quality all over the field and we've lost to a quality side, but it's not going to derail our season."

Northampton, who also lost George North to a knee injury, face last season's runners-up Clermont Auvergne in their next Pool Two outing.

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