Saracens 29-14 Exeter – Hosts secure victory in Gallagher Premiership with five tries as Ben Earl stars

Saracens moved top of the Gallagher Premiership following a ruthless five-try victory against Exeter Chiefs.

Sarries are the only side with a perfect record from three matches and have been full of tries – picking up maximum points in each match.

The hosts showed tactical prowess kicking deep into touch and driving home through Jamie George.

Youngster Tobias Elliott showed his flare to step around several missed tackles in front of England head coach Steve Borthwick to double their advantage.

Open-side flanker Ben Earl provided the experience, scoring a third try before Fergus Burke wrapped up the bonus point before the break.

Earl was impressive in attack and defence as he ran home a fifth Saracens try in the second half in a commanding win.

Exeter were second best for large portions of the game with Josh Hodge providing some excitement converting his two tries.

However, Saracens were clear victors, taking a third bonus-point win to move three points clear at the top of the Premiership.

Earl praised his side’s maturity during the commanding victory.

He said: “The maturity of this side, in the second half we were 24-5 up and a different Saracens side would have let that game drift.

“I thought we stayed on our task well and I’m really pleased with how it ended up. How good is this squad and the back five? We’ve got so much strength and is bodes really well going forward.”

Saracens are sitting pretty at the top of the Gallagher Premiership after three matches and experienced player Earl feels his side are “going to get better”.

Sarries were beaten semi-finalists last season after finishing fourth in the final table but looked to have progressed this term.

Led by the experience of Earl alongside exciting youngsters like Elliott, the Middlesex side are looking the team to beat.

Saracens are still to welcome back England international Maro Itoje into their side and the likes of Northampton Saints and Bath will be watching them closely in the coming weeks.

The flanker guided Saracens to victory and contributed with two tries of his own.

Charging forward Earl was almost unstoppable and the Exeter defence came out second best on several occasions.

Earl was enjoying himself so much that he looked frustrated when the decision was made to take him off late in the second half.

Saracens: Carre 7, George 8, Riccioni 7, Isiekwe 7, Tizard 7, McFarland 7, Earl 8, Willis 8, Van Zyl 8, Burke 8, Segun 7, Tompkins 7, Lozowski 7, Elliott 8, Daly 8. Replacements: Dan 7, Mawi 6, Hoskins 7, Onyeama-Christie 7, Gonzalez 6, Knight 6, Bracken 6, Goode 6

Exeter Chiefs: Goodrick-Clarke 6, Yeandle 6, Street 6, Dunne 7, Tshiunza 6, Roots 6, Capstick 6, Fisilau 7, Maunder 6, Haydon-Wood 7, Hammersley 7, Hawkins 7, Woodburn 6, Feyi-Waboso 6, Hodge 8. Replacements: Innard 6, Blose 6, Iosefa-Scott 6, Tuima 6, Moloney 6, Cairns 6, Skinner 6, Rigg 6

18 – TRY! SARACENTS (GEORGE) 5-0 EXTER CHIEFS: A huge kick into touch by Daly gives Saracens a line-out five metres from the line. The resulting driving maul sees George touch down around the side of the defence. The conversion hits the post as it drifts in the wind.

22 –TRY! SARACENTS (ELLIOTT) 12-0 EXTER CHIEFS: A special individual try by Elliott, after being released by Van Zyl, holding his footing and then jinks past two players before running clear to score. What an excellent try by the youngster. Lozowski converts.

32 –TRY! SARACENTS (EARL) 19-0 EXTER CHIEFS: Another long kick by Saracens deep inside their opponents’ 22-metre line. The ball is slowly played along the line.

A second line-out results in another drive which is unstoppable and Earl touches down. Lozowski converts comfortable through the middle.

36 –TRY! SARACENTS 19-7 EXTER CHIEFS (HODGE): A kick over the top is deflected off the fingers of Lozowski and the ball is passed into the path of Hodge who has to evade a last gasp challenge to score. The conversion by Hodge is also converted.

38 –TRY! SARACENS 24-7 EXTER CHIEFS: A missed challenge sees Carre on the charge before passing back into Elliott and then Burke to score his first try in the Premiership for his new club. Lozowski misses the conversion.

41 –TRY! SARACENS (EARL) 29-7 EXTER CHIEFS: A high kick forward sees Saracens win the ball through Elliott who when the ball is recycled then releases Earl. The conversion is missed.

62 – TRY! SARACENS 29-14 EXTER CHIEFS (HODGE): Fisilau starts a fine move for Exeter and despite being under pressure Woodburn finds Hammersley who then sends a lovely ball into the path of Hodge for his second try. Hodge sends over his second conversion of the afternoon.

• Saracens had seven entries into the Exeter 22-metre line and came away with 29 points.

• Saracens have scored 109 points during their opening three matches in this year’s Gallagher Premiership