In a powerful statement of resilience, Saracens thumped Newcastle 73-14, with a stunning performance from young star Noah Caluori. But was it enough to secure his place in the England squad? The jury is still out.
Saracens, amidst a tumultuous week, needed a response after a string of disappointing results, including a crushing defeat by Glasgow just days prior. And respond they did, with a dominant display that saw them score 10 tries against the bottom-placed side in the Gallagher Premiership.
The game started with a bang, and not in Saracens' favor. Theo McFarland and Marco Riccioni were late withdrawals, and within minutes, Newcastle's Oscar Usher crossed the try line. But Saracens quickly turned the tide, with Simon Benitez Cruz conceding a penalty try and Rotimi Segun showcasing his speed. But here's where it gets controversial.
The spotlight was on Caluori, who had been snubbed from England's Six Nations squad just a day earlier. The 19-year-old wing sensation responded in style, scoring four tries and earning the man-of-the-match award. His rivalry with Newcastle's Elliot Obatoyinbo added spice to the game, with a brawl and a stunning try from Caluori following a hand-off on his opponent. Obatoyinbo's day went from bad to worse with a yellow card, and Saracens secured the bonus point early in the second half.
The home team's pack dominated, with Nick Isiekwe and Tom Willis making their presence felt. Caluori completed his hat-trick, and the tries kept coming for Saracens. Nick Tompkins, rewarded for his efforts, grabbed the final try for the home side.
As the dust settles, the question remains: Will Caluori's performance be enough to convince England's selectors? What do you think? Should he have been included in the squad initially, or is his time yet to come? The debate rages on, but one thing is certain: Caluori's talent is undeniable, and his future in rugby looks bright.
