Thomas Castaignede made a dream Premiership debut as Saracens destroyed
Gloucester to serve immediate notice of their title credentials.
The gifted French full-back announced his arrival in English rugby with 20
points, underpinning an often exhilarating exhibition by Saracens which featured
three tries during a devastating four-minute first half spell.
England wing Dan Luger also marked his first Saracens start with a scoring
contribution, claiming the fifth touchdown on 46 minutes.
And Gloucester's miserable afternoon was completed midway through the second
period when substitute hooker Jawad Djoudi was sent off by referee Steve
Lander.
Moroccan Djoudi was dismissed for butting Saracens wing Darragh O'Mahony, and
now faces a lengthy ban.
O'Mahony left the field shortly afterwards, clutching an ice pack above his
left eye.
In running Gloucester ragged - the West Country club finished third behind
champions Leicester and runners-up Bath last season - Saracens bagged a maximum
five-point haul.
A bonus point for scoring four tries or more was secured by the break,
illustrating Saracens' supreme quality out wide.
With Australian World Cup winner Tim Horan still to arrive at Vicarage Road -
his debut is currently delayed by a serious foot injury - Saracens already look
championship material.
Gloucester, who went into the game without injured internationals Phil
Vickery, Andy Gomarsall and Kingsley Jones, resembled a disjointed outfit.
They trailed 45-6 at half-time following Saracens' blistering scoring spree,
and although substitute prop Serge Simon and centre Chris Yates claimed late
consolation tries, they were hopelessly outclassed.
Castaignede kicked four penalties and four conversions, landing eight from 11
shots at goal, immediately winning over the Saracens faithful - more than 7,000
of them today - after his six-figure signing from French club Castres.
New Saracens skipper Kyran Bracken set the ball rolling following a
competitive opening 20 minutes, touching down for the opening try, but
Gloucester still had no indication of what was about to hit them.
Approaching the interval, Saracens led 14-6, but quickfire tries from lock
Bill Davison, his second row partner Scott Murray and centre Kevin Sorrell -
Castaignede converting all three - ended the game as a contest.
For Gloucester, it was a case of damage limitation after that, but to their
credit, they restricted Saracens to just two further touchdowns from Luger and
centre Ben Johnston.
Once Saracens had contained the typically fiery Gloucester forward effort,
nullifying the threat of New Zealander All Black Ian Jones their superior
quality with ball in hand soon became evident.
Although Bracken's try was a typically brave close range effort, the scores by
Davison and Murray in particular were a result of scintillating handling and
elusive running angles.
Saracens: Castaignede, O'Mahoney,
Johnston, Sorrell, Luger,
McRae, Bracken, Wallace, Cairns, White, Davison, Murray,Chesney, Hill, Diprose.
Replacements: Sparg for O'Mahoney (68),
Flatman for Wallace (55), Roques for Diprose (76).
Not Used: Kwisiuk, Roche, Walshe, Horton.
Gloucester: Fanolua, Catling, Ewens, Yates, Jewell, Mannix,
Sanders, Powles, Azam, Deacon, Fidler, I. Jones, Ojomoh,Paramore, Boer.
Replacements: Greenslade-Jones for Catling (67),
Hayward for Mannix (5), Simon for Powles (40),
Djoudi for Azam (54), Cornwell for Fidler (60),
Eustace for Ojomoh (54), Gregoire-Mazzocco for Boer (72).
Sent Off: Djoudi (66).
Att: 7,682
Ref: Steve Lander (RFU).
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