Daly snatches win for Saracens while Harlequins rue Smith’s absence

Elliot Daly’s long-range penalty settled an entertaining London derby in Saracens’ favour, leaving Harlequins to rue what might have been. Take nothing away from their starting fly-half Tommy Allan but it is hard not to wonder whether Marcus Smith’s magic might have made the difference here against a Saracens side granted permission to pick all five of their England internationals. Of them Billy Vunipola excelled but based on game-time alone last season, his exclusion gave Harlequins all the more reason to be frustrated that Smith was not granted dispensation to play.

Maybe they would have won the match without him had Alex Dombrandt not had to be replaced shortly before half-time with an injury. He was outstanding up until that point, outshining even Vunipola and giving the watching Eddie Jones food for thought. As it was, Vunipola dragged his side back into the contest and Saracens had the wherewithal to keep a lead they had edged out in the closing stages.

Smith’s absence, of course, maybe made no difference but the Premiership does not help itself sometimes. This is one of the most eye-catching fixtures in the season and a sport desperate for more eyeballs. Had any of the casual fans that Premiership Rugby is so eager to attract turned on their TVs expecting to see Smith lining up against Owen Farrell they may well have switched off immediately. It would be a shame if they did, however, because this was an engrossing encounter to the very last moment when Farrell kicked the ball out to end the match and celebrate with the sort of aggression he is renowned for.

This was Saracens’ first match of the season, having had a bye last weekend, and in the opening 10 minutes they played like it. Mark McCall’s side could not