Juan Imhoff’s try stuns the Saracens as Racing reaches the final

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Publication date: September 26, 2020

Juan Imhoff scored one of the great Champions Cup semi-final trials when Racing 92 reached their third final after a 19-15 win over the Saracens in Paris on Saturday.

Alex Goode had kicked five penalties when Saracens canceled a 9-6 interval deficit and raised hopes for a fourth European title in five years.

But the champions were undone in the 76th minute when Virimi Vakatawa charged clear and wing Imhoff accepted Finn Russell’s pass to score the only try of the game, which Maxime Machenaud converted.

Teddy Iribaren (three) and Machenaud had kicked penalties for Racing, lost finalists in 2016 and 2018, as the 1,000 fans allowed at Paris La Defense Arena savored a famous victory at home.

The Saracens kept the same side that dropped Leinster in the quarterfinals, with Goode continuing as fly-half in place of the suspended Owen Farrell.

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Russell and Simon Zebo were part of a dangerous Racing division, the efficiency of which was reflected in the fact that the French club had achieved the most clean breaks in the competition this season.

Racing lost wing Fabien Sanconnie to a head injury in the third minute and the subsequent delay seemed to affect both sides, who struggled for fluidity during a difficult opening.

Iribaren broke the deadlock with a penalty in the 11th minute before Saracens center Duncan Taylor was forced to retire with a shoulder injury and replaced by Dominic Morris.

The Vunipolas, Mako and Billy, combined perfectly in Saracens’ best pace of play and Racing was punished by referee Nigel Owens for not using ruck possession fast enough.

Goode leveled the scores from in front of the posts and the Saracens were beginning to win the battle for field position.

A second Goode penalty gave the visitors the lead after half an hour, but Iribaren responded immediately to tie the score at 6-6.

Camille Chat’s carelessness gave Saracens an excellent attacking opportunity, but indiscipline at scrum time allowed Racing to come off the hook and Teddy Thomas broke the left and opened one last opportunity in the first half.

Racing won a penalty at the lineout and Iribaren’s kick was rated as good, despite some confusion as to whether he had actually flown into the post.

Parity was soon reestablished early in the second half when Antonie Claassen deliberately struck and Goode hit her third penalty.

Goode quickly added a fourth goal for a 12-9 lead when an effective game of kicks and chases began to turn Racing’s screw.

Morris forced another fumble with a crisp punch on Zebo and Goode’s fifth penalty provided a respite as the lead was extended to six points for the first time.

Alex Lewington could have dropped the subject beyond doubt on a breakaway, but chose to rally rather than attack and was held back by the retreating Racing defenders.

Saracens mainstay Brad Barritt was forced to retire in the fourth quarter and his departure galvanized Racing, with Machenaud cutting the gap to three points.

Russell and Vakatawa led an exciting attack at home and, although Racing was denied on that occasion, the center was clear again and the Saracens loosened control of the Champions Cup.



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