Saracens vs Bristol Bears LIVE: Result and reaction from Premiership match today

Re-live the latest action from Allianz Park as reigning champions Saracens look to continue their relegation survival efforts against top-four chasing Bristol

Nick Tompkins scores his second try of the match against Bristol (Getty)

Follow the latest updates live from the Premiership clash between Saracens and Bristol Bears at Allianz Park.

In what has been a tumultuous season at Saracens already, the reigning Premiership champions face one of the most-improved teams this season in the shape of Pat Lam’s Bristol looking to claw back further ground on the pack following their 35-point deduction for breaching the salary cap.

But Bristol, flying high in second place, could go top of the table with a victory and will plan on causing a major upset at Allianz Park to not only continue their strong start to the season but send out a major statement of their title credentials. Follow the live updates below.

When is it?

Saracens vs Bristol takes place at Allianz Park on Saturday 21 December.

What time does it start?

The match kicks off at 3pm.

Where can I watch it?

The game will not be shown live on television in the United Kingdom, but you can follow live updates from Allianz Park with The Independent.

Teams

Saracens: Max Malins; Sean Maitland, Nick Tompkins, Brad Barritt, Elliot Daly; Owen Farrell, Ben Spencer; Mako Vunipola, Jamie George, Vincent Koch; Maro Itoje, George Kruis; Nick Isiekwe, Ben Earl, Billy Vunipola.

Replacements: Jack Singleton, Rhys Carre, Titi Lamositele, Will Skelton, Jackson Wray, Richard Wigglesworth, Duncan Taylor, Alex Lewington.

Bristol: Charles Piutau; Luke Morahan, Piers O;Conor, Sam Bedlow, Toby Fricker; Callum Sheedy, Andy Uren; Jake Woolmore, Harry Thacker, John Afoa; Joe Joyce, Chris Vui; Steven Luatua, Jake Heenan, Nathan Hughes.

Replacements: Will Capon, James Lay, Max Lahiff, Ed Holmes, Luke Hamilton, Harry Randall, Ioan Lloyd, Alapati Leiua.

Referee: Tom Foley

Key Points

• Saracens 47-13 Bristol Bears
• Bristol open the scoring through Morahan try
• Saracens respond with scores from Mako Vunipola and Malins
• Second-half tries from Tompkins, Earl, Malins, Maitland and Tompkins sees Sarries surge clear

[21 December 2019 16:55 · Jack de Menezes]

79 mins: Saracens 47-13 Bristol Bears

The match is ending in a phase of who wants it, such is the shoddy handling that has blighted the last five minutes. Saracens fail to do anything after the penalty and when Bristol get the ball, they too cough it up. 

[21 December 2019 16:55 · Jack de Menezes]

80 mins: Saracens 47-13 Bristol Bears

Bristol knock the ball on once more, and that'll be it!

Full-time: Saracens 47-13 Bristol Bears

[21 December 2019 16:59 · Jack de Menezes]

Full-time: An emphatic second-half display reminds everyone here why Saracens are the reigning champions. They run in five tries after half-time - when the gap was just a point - and keep Bristol scoreless in the process.

That means Saracens move to -13 for the season and with Leicester failing to get anything against Exeter this afternoon in a 22-31 defeat - despite leading 22-10 at one stage - the gap between Saracens and the rest of the pack is down to 17. That suddenly doesn't seem so much, does it?