Saracens started their Parker Pen European Shield campaign with an emphatic victory over French side Bordeaux-Begles at Vicarage Road despite the driving rain.

Saracens' South African fly-half Luke Smith scored 22 points in the first half to give Saracens an almost unassailable lead and his all-round game brought Saracens' talented backs into play.

The Bordeaux defence was, at times, torn to shreds.

Smith kicked two penalties to give Saracens a six-point lead in as many minutes.

A try in the corner from Darragh O'Mahony after Richard Hill had won a line-out put Saracens firmly in the driving seat.

The French were finding it hard to win enough ball to seriously threaten the Saracens defence.

On the half hour Smith scored his first try for the club when Hill made a break in midfield and Tim Horan put Smith in under the posts.

He converted this and scored his second on the stroke of half-time with the assistance of a clean line-out catch by Kieran Roche and a well-timed pass from scrum-half Nick Walshe.

Saracens went in at half-time leading 27-0.

The French side came out in the second half with a bit more flair and fire and it took only three minutes for them to open their account when left-wing Sebastien Kuzbik touched down near the corner flag.

Sebastien Laloo missed a conversion but kicked three penalties to chip away at the Sarrie's lead.

Prop Luke Harbut was driven over from a line-out to score his first try for Saracens, Smith once again converting to give Saracens the points.

Smith has not missed a kick at goal in three home games for Saracens this season.