Saracens send out big warning
European Watch
Chris Ashton of Saracens celebrates scoring their second try during the Aviva Premiership match between Harlequins and Saracens at Twickenham Stoop. Photo credit: Clive Rose/Getty Images
The tough task facing Munster this season in Europe can be gauged by Clermont Auvergne climbing to the top in France and Saracens setting the pace in England.
Clermont got their first ever victory in Toulouse when they won 13-9, condemning Guy Noves' men to their third successive defeat for the first time in the professional era. Georgian prop Davit Zirakashvili got Clermont's only try and Camile Lopez supplied a couple of penalties and a conversion.
They will host Lyon tomorrow when they will hope to continue their impressive start to the Top 14 against a side which has won two of their five opening matches.
Saracens inflicting a humiliating 39-0 defeat on Harlequins at The Stoop in what Conor O'Shea said was the lowest point of his time with Quins. Sarries ran in four tries through Charlie Hodgson, Chris Ashton, Will Frasier and Owen Farrell and might even have won by more had they not had two men binned.
They lead the Premiership with nine points from two games and this weekend take on London Irish.
Sale Sharks, beaten at home on the opening weekend by Bath, posted 27 points at Kingsholm but lost 34-27. Sale, who led 17-6 at the break, had tries from Tom Arscott, Chris Cusiter, Luke McLean and Danny Cipriani and will host London Welsh this weekend when they will hope to get their first win of the campaign.
