Saracens Take Control After Macalou Red Card in Champions Cup Clash
Saracens secured an important 28-17 victory over Stade Francais in a hard-fought Investec Champions Cup clash, with Liam Williams marking his second debut for the club with a try. The match, which was marred by ill-discipline from the French side, saw the pivotal moment come midway through the first half when Stade Francais flanker Sekou Macalou was sent off for a dangerous incident involving Saracens scrum-half Ivan van Zyl. This red card shifted the momentum firmly in Saracens’ favor, and they took full advantage of the situation to secure their second win from two pool matches.
The Early Stages: Stade Francais Take an Early Lead
Stade Francais came out strong at home and had the better of the opening 20 minutes. The French side made an early breakthrough when Peniasi Dakuwaqa scored a try in the corner, converting from a clever pass from Zack Henry after a charged-down kick from Elliot Daly. With Henry adding the conversion and then a penalty shortly after for a collapsed scrum by Saracens’ Marco Riccioni, Stade Francais were 10-0 up. Saracens looked unsettled, struggling to cope with the pressure applied by the hosts in the early exchanges.
However, it was in the 22nd minute that the game truly began to shift. Sekou Macalou, who had been a force for Stade Francais up until that point, found himself on the wrong side of referee Hollie Davidson. Having tripped Ivan van Zyl as he emerged from a scrum, Macalou swung his arm into the scrum-half’s face, which was deemed dangerous and unacceptable. The referee, after reviewing the incident with the television match official, issued a red card to Macalou, reducing Stade Francais to 14 players.
Saracens Take Control After the Red Card
The red card sparked an immediate turnaround in the match, with Saracens making the most of their numerical advantage. The visitors got on the scoreboard quickly after the red card when Wales international Liam Williams, making his second debut for Saracens after returning from a stint in Japan, latched onto a perfectly timed long pass from Elliot Daly. Williams ran in to score Saracens’ first try within minutes of Macalou’s dismissal. The try was converted by Fergus Burke, reducing the deficit to just three points.
Burke was influential for Saracens throughout the match, also kicking two penalties in the final 10 minutes of the first half, bringing the score to 13-10 in Saracens’ favor. During this period, Stade Francais’ discipline unraveled further. After Macalou’s red card, the hosts briefly had two players in the sin bin. Tanginoa Halaifonua was sent off for a high tackle on Rotimi Segun, and Saracens capitalized on this opportunity.
Saracens Extend Their Lead
With Stade Francais down to 13 players, Saracens mounted more pressure, and their dominance grew. From a line-out near Stade Francais’ try line, Saracens executed a rolling maul with precision, allowing Jamie George to force his way over the line to score Saracens’ second try. Burke again added the conversion, giving Saracens a 20-10 lead.
As if things weren’t going wrong enough for Stade Francais, a high tackle by flanker Ryan Chapuis on Fergus Burke prompted George to appeal for further action. While the referee issued a penalty for the foul, it was clear that Stade Francais was struggling to keep their composure and discipline in check.
In the second half, Saracens continued to capitalize on Stade Francais’ lack of discipline. With the hosts’ frustrations mounting, Halaifonua was sent to the sin bin again for a high tackle on Segun, which led to a Saracens penalty. The visitors quickly made their way into the Stade Francais 22 and, following some quick phases, Theo Dan drove over the line to score Saracens’ third try. With Burke converting the try, Saracens extended their lead to 28-10, and they were firmly in control.
Stade Francais Battle Back Late, But It’s Too Little, Too Late
Despite the red card and yellow cards disrupting their rhythm, Stade Francais did manage to fight back in the latter stages of the match. Leo Barre, a key player for Stade Francais, picked his moment to shine and glided through from close range to score a try for the home side. With Zack Henry converting, Stade Francais’ spirits were briefly lifted. However, with a two-man disadvantage and Saracens’ commanding lead, it was clear that a comeback was not on the cards.
Stade Francais had one last chance to narrow the deficit but their discipline continued to cost them. Another yellow card, this time for Hugo N’Diaye after collapsing a scrum, only added to the French side’s woes, and they could not mount any serious challenge against Saracens in the final stages.
The Impact of Indiscipline
One of the key factors that led to Stade Francais’ downfall was their indiscipline. While they started the match well, their inability to maintain control of their emotions and discipline was their undoing. The red card for Macalou was the turning point, but subsequent yellow cards for Halaifonua and N’Diaye further compounded Stade Francais’ troubles. Saracens, on the other hand, remained composed and clinical in taking advantage of the extra men. This was particularly evident in the way they scored their tries and maintained pressure on the hosts even when they were temporarily down to 14 players themselves.
In his post-match analysis, Stade Francais head coach Paul Gustard lamented the “four minutes of craziness” that cost his team dearly in their loss to Munster last weekend. Unfortunately for him, the same issue appeared again in this Champions Cup clash, with Macalou’s red card serving as a stark reminder of how quickly a match can slip away due to a lack of control.
Saracens’ Resilience
While the match was not without its challenges, Saracens showed resilience and the ability to adapt when required. Their strong set-piece play and smart tactical kicks ensured they took advantage of Stade Francais’ errors, and the discipline they displayed on the field contrasted sharply with that of their hosts. Saracens’ ability to regroup and extend their lead after conceding the early try proved their experience and quality, with players like Burke, George, and Dan making vital contributions to the win.
Conclusion: Saracens Secure Victory in Tough Conditions
In the end, Saracens came away with a well-deserved 28-17 victory over Stade Francais in a match that had more drama than expected. The red card to Sekou Macalou was the pivotal moment in the game, and Saracens capitalized fully on the numerical advantage to score three tries and extend their lead. Despite a late rally from Stade Francais, Saracens were never in danger of losing control of the match.
For Stade Francais, the loss highlights the need for better discipline, as the numerous yellow and red cards ultimately derailed their performance. With the Champions Cup pool stage still ongoing, Saracens will be pleased with their performance, especially as they aim to secure further victories in the tournament. With two wins from two matches, Saracens are looking strong and will continue to build momentum as they progress in the competition.
