Billy Vunipola accomplished Saracens’ first match since their relegation from the Gallagher Premiership however the England quantity eight was powerless to stop Ealing rising 27-26 winners.
The weekend’s solely recreation involving an English staff at any stage noticed Vunipola take centre stage in entrance of Eddie Jones in his maiden outing because the ultimate of the Autumn Nations Cup final month.
Saracens have positioned the rest of their England contingent on bespoke coaching schedules akin to pre-season, with the purpose of guaranteeing they’re prepared for the Six Nations opener in opposition to Scotland on February 6.
Solely Vunipola was in motion, together with his director of rugby Mark McCall stating that he advantages from enjoying as regularly as doable, leading to his choice for the Trailfinders Problem Cup opener.
It was a quiet afternoon for the again row large, who made little impression on Ealing in a contest that serves as a curtain raiser to Saracens’ quest for a direct return to the Gallagher Premiership.
Making their first outing since being relegated final season as punishment for repeated wage cap breaches, McCall’s males had been additionally lacking eight gamers suspended for breaking coronavirus guidelines when on Barbarians obligation.
Ealing took benefit of their second within the highlight created by the cancellation of the ultimate two rounds of Europe’s group stage due to the French authorities’s fears over COVID-19 by toppling the trophy-laden guests.
Trailfinders crossed first when quick arms despatched Angus Kernohan over however the attempt was made doable by a dummy from scrum-half Craig Hampson that deceived a visiting defence that was pinned near their line.
In any other case all of the factors in a good opening quarter had been equipped by penalties from fly-halves Craig Willis and Will Hooley.
Vunipola turned more and more concerned because the half progressed, carrying into heavy site visitors and barrelling into the breakdown, however Saracens met with stiff resistance from fired-up opponents.
As half-time approached, their large ball-carrying forwards started to make an impression and it was the steam-roller method that created area place for his or her first breakthrough.
A stable five-metre scrum noticed Vunipola pop a go to Aled Davies and the velocity of the play outwitted Ealing as full-back Elliot Obatoyinbo dived over.
Trailfinders completed the half with a flourish and went shut early within the second earlier than sustaining strain on the visiting line by profitable a Saracens scrum after which battering away.
The assault ended when hooker Alun Walker compelled his means over, however the rating solely served to ignite McCall’s males and so they started attacking with higher objective till alternative entrance row Kapeli Pifeleti completed a line-out maul.
However the recreation tilted on its axis once more when Walker grabbed his second with Willis changing to place Ealing past attain.
Saracens hooker Tom Woolstencroft completed a ahead assault from a short-range free-kick, however the match had already entered stoppage time.
