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Saracens v Exeter player ratings as Mako Vunipola scores an 8 and Sam Simmonds gets a 6

Sport360 staff

20:46 26/05/2018

Saracens regained the Aviva Premiership title with a superlative defensive display in a 27-10 win over defending champions Exeter.

Saturday’s win marked the third time in four years Saracens have been crowned champions.

Here’s a look at how the players from both sides performed in the season-ending showpiece.

SARACENS

ALEX GOODE: Helped create Saracens’ opening try and was a threat throughout the contest. 8

SEAN MAITLAND: Made a couple of early errors, but set up his team’s second try. 6

ALEX LOZOWSKI: A largely quiet afternoon for the England international, but he was pretty much mistake-free. 6

BRAD BARRITT: The Saracens’ skipper was at the heart of his team’s best efforts. 7

CHRIS WYLES: Scored two tres on his final appearance before retiring from professional rugby, providing a sharp attacking presence. 8

OWEN FARRELL: Kicked two conversions and creative in attack before going off 15 minutes from time appearing to be in some discomfort. 8

RICHARD WIGGLESWORTH: Controlled things expertly at the heels of a dominant Saracens pack. 7

MAKO VUNIPOLA: A huge contribution by the England prop, who time and time again ran powerfully into the heart of Exeter’s defence. 9

JAMIE GEORGE: Outshone his opposite number and England colleague Luke Cowan-Dickie. 7

VINCENT KOCH: Brushed off an injury in the first-half to keep Saracens on the front foot. 7

MARO ITOJE: A mature and impressive performance by the England lock. Revelled in the occasion. 8

GEORGE KRUIS: Did his scrummaging and lineout work impressively as Saracens claimed another title. 7

NICK ISIEKWE: One of English rugby’s exciting young prospects, he lapped up the big-game atmosphere. 7

JACKSON WRAY: Long-serving Saracens flanker was at the heart of all the good things Saracens did. 7

BILLY VUNIPOLA: Overcame an injury scare to start the final, and he scored a try with a trademark powerful display. 7

Replacements: The Saracens substitutes all had a role to the play, with Nathan Earle scoring a late try and Ben Spencer kicking a penalty. 7

EXETER

LACHIE TURNER: The Australian looked dangerous at times, but Saracens kept a close eye on him. 6

JACK NOWELL: Strong in defence and a potent attacker, Chiefs’ England wing never gave up the ghost. 7

HENRY SLADE: Had his moments, but Exeter were chasing the game from an early stage. 6

SAM HILL: Replaced early in the second period after struggling to make midfield headway. 5

OLLY WOODBURN: Prolific try-scorer in the Premiership this season, yet Saracens shackled him well. 6

JOE SIMMONDS: The 21-year-old kicked an early penalty, but could never establish a foothold on the contest. 6

NIC WHITE: Probed and tested Saracens in the first-half, mixing and matching his game cleverly. 7

ALEC HEPBURN: Made a couple of early surges, but faded being before substituted early in the second period. 6

LUKE COWAN-DICKIE: Has high hopes with England in South Africa this summer, but could not fire the Chiefs’ pack. 5

TOMAS FRANCIS: The Wales prop endured a tough afternoon opposite Saracens’ superior front-row. 5

MITCH LEES: Had a tough afternoon opposite Saracens’ revered England lock Maro Itoje. 6

JONNY HILL: Will head to South Africa with England next weekend, and he will learn from the experience of a Premiership final. 6

DAVE EWERS: Tireless effort by the Exeter flanker, but it proved a frustrating 80 minutes. 6

DON ARMAND: The Exeter skipper required a first-half head injury assessment, but returned to the action and kept on battling. 6

SAM SIMMONDS: The England international struggled to make an impact despite being used as a main ball-carrier. 6

Replacements: Exeter rugby director Rob Baxter made five changes in one go just after half-time, but Chiefs’ reinforcements had far much to do, despite try-scorer Gareth Steenson’s best efforts. 6

 

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