Brain fade of the season gifts Saracens a quarter-final place
Saracens had a real battle on their hands at the StoneX Stadium on Sunday against the Ospreys in the Heineken Champions Cup round of 16, fighting back from a 14-3 deficit to win 35-20.
A combination of some resolute defence from the visitors and plenty of errors from the hosts meant the game was in the balance going into the final quarter, Saracens holding only a three point lead. Then the Ospreys pulled off the biggest blunder anyone will see this season.
Though there is not the equivalent of an open goal in rugby, if there were it would look exactly like the try Sarries scored. And it was caused by a 40-cap Wales international, Rhys Webb.
Following a kick into touch deep into the Osprey’s half, Webb, presumably wanting to catch the hosts on a counter attack, opted to take a quick lineout. The only trouble was that no one else was planning for it. What happened was substitute Duncan Taylor glided through to intercept the ball and score under the posts. It was a try completely unbefitting how tight the contest had been at that point and is probably the biggest brain fade the Ospreys will produce this season. It just so happened to be in their biggest game of the season at one of the most crucial times.
This gave Saracens a ten point lead, and the Ospreys never got back into the game after that point.
Take a look at the try:
A quick line-out nightmare 😅
Duncan scores with his first touch of the ball 🤯
Saracens on the brink of the @ChampionsCup quarter finals… pic.twitter.com/oxgc187P4N
— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) April 2, 2023
