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Racing 92 vs Saracens, Champions Cup semi-final: live score and latest updates

Saracens' full back Elliot Daly (L) vies with Racing's French centre Virimi Vakatawa and Donnacha Ryan during the European Rugby Champions Cup semi-final rugby union match between Racing 92 and Saracens on September 26, - GETTY IMAGES
Saracens' full back Elliot Daly (L) vies with Racing's French centre Virimi Vakatawa and Donnacha Ryan during the European Rugby Champions Cup semi-final rugby union match between Racing 92 and Saracens on September 26, - GETTY IMAGES

02:00 PM

Racing's winning try


02:00 PM

Full-time: Racing 19 Saracens 15

Saracens go wide immediately off the scrum but Daly's pass cannot find Maitland, and the Scottish wing is bundled into touch as he gathers the loose ball.

That's the end. Heartbreaking for Saracens, for whom it is the end of an era.

Racing, however, were lethal; scoring the game's only try.


01:57 PM

79 min: Racing 19 Saracens 15

Racing kick to the corner after Daly mindlessly plays the scrum-half at a ruck.

But they knock on - again - and Saracens will have one last shot to win the game; they will have to do it from just outside their own 22.


01:55 PM

78 min: Racing 19 Saracens 15

Goodness me, we've had them all today from Nigel Owens. Earlier he pinged Racing for not using the ball quickly enough at a ruck, and now he's pulled up Saracens at the restart for being in front of the kicker.

Scrum to Racing on halfway and this is slipping away from Saracens.


01:53 PM

CON MACHENAUD Racing 19 Saracens 15

A significant if easy conversion for Machenaud; Saracens now need a try.


01:51 PM

TRY IMHOFF Racing 17 Saracens 15

Totally out of nowhere. Total class.

Saracens had been warned about this. Racing meander in an attack on halfway before, in an instant, they are gone.

Russell chips over, pre-called, and Vakatawa takes on the full. He bursts upfield, offloads to Russell who is in the clear, but the fly-half sensibly shovels on to the lightning Imhoff, and Daly cannot get to him.

Clinical, ruthless, and thrilling; it might have won Racing the game.


01:49 PM

75 min: Racing 12 Saracens 15

Saracens penalty from the scrum!

Oz gets too long and ends up eating dirt, with Owens adjudicating that he was at fault (he was).

Goode clears upfield to give his side a lineout with five minutes remaining.


01:48 PM

73 min: Racing 12 Saracens 15

Klemenczak carries hard and gets over the gainline but he, too knocks forward and Saracens survive. 

They are rewarded with another five-metre scrum.


01:46 PM

71 min: Racing 12 Saracens 15

Oh my - it really is game on.

Racing pinch a lineout in their own half and they flick the switch. Imhoff swerves round Morris, and offloads delicately to a searing Vakatawa.

France's centre carries into the Saracens 22 before he is brought down. Imhoff is there to carry again but there is a slight knock-on in the tackle and Saracens will have a five-metre scrum.

A huuuuuge Racing shove ensues and Billy knocks on at the base. Racing scrum, five metres out.

The next few minutes will define the match.


01:42 PM

PEN MACHENAUD: Racing 12 Saracens 15

And it is game on. Three points in it.


01:41 PM

68 min: Racing 9 Saracens 15

Racing look more composed and organised, and their forwards begin to carry aggressively. But big Billy Vunipola strips Oz in the tackle and Saracens win the turnover.

The visitors do not protect the loose ball, however, and Ryan wins a penalty for holding on - Racing will almost definitely leave with something and it will be game on.


01:39 PM

66 min: Racing 9 Saracens 15

Barritt has to depart for a HIA as his side restart with a scrum.

Zebo takes a Wigglesworth box-kick brilliantly - again- under bags of pressure.

Rhodes is penalised for not rolling away from the Zebo tackle and Racing will have another go, from a lineout, down in Saracens' 22. You sense they need something from this foray into Saracens' territory - a penalty at the minimum.


01:36 PM

64 min: Racing 9 Saracens 15

Major concern for Saracens, here, as Barritt is down.

Nigel Owens has just said he thinks the Saracens captain was knocked out. That would mean a HIA, at least, you'd expect.


01:35 PM

64 min: Racing 9 Saracens 15

Racing win a scrum penalty and after debating a disorganised attack, they decline the offer of advantage and kick to the corner.

But it's fantastic Saracens defence once again, as Zebo, Vakatawa and Russell are not given an inch. Ryan knocks on as Russell throws an out-the-back offload, and Saracens will put into the scrum.


01:31 PM

61 min: Racing 9 Saracens 15

Maitland is penalised for not releasing the tackled player, allowing Russell to give Racing a lineout just outside the Saracens 22. They try some chicanery at the set-piece, but it doesn't work and replacement scrum-half Machenaud knocks on.

There's a sense here that Racing are trying to run before learning to walk.


01:27 PM

59 min: Racing 9 Saracens 15

What a passage of play.

Racing decide route one is the way to go, and they make good progress, with Thomas making a good break.

But Vakatawa spills - with Saracens looking decidedly offside - and Daly hacks downfield. Only him and Lewington are chasing - and it seems more difficult not to score - but he elects to dive onto the ball instead of hack on, allowing Racing's defenders to get back and prevent the try.

Goode is eventually penalised for side entry and Racing hang on.


01:23 PM

55 min: Racing 9 Saracens 15

Chat and Vakatawa throw the kitchen sink at Saracens' defence, but Itoje and Barritt stand firm to the challenge. Rhodes chops Oz and Saracens win the ball back - fantastic work.

And Sarries burst! A delightful inside ball from Billy sends Morris streaking up the field. He gets to within 10 metres of the Racing line but Imhoff gets back to win a holding-on penalty and, you would have to say, save the match.

If Saracens had scored a five-pointer there, Racing would surely have been toast.


01:19 PM

PEN GOODE: Racing 9 Saracens 15

Daylight for the first time, as Goode extends Saracens' second-half purple patch.


01:18 PM

52 min: Racing 9 Saracens 12

What a tackle from Morris -  and what an escape from Racing.

Goode kicks downfield and Russell gathers, and fires a long pass to Zebo. But Morris is onto him like an Exocet, flinging himself at the Racing full-back. Zebo knocks on inside his own 22, but no Saracens players can pick up the loose ball.

The chance goes begging but they will, at least, put into a scrum deep into Racing territory. And they win a peanlty, as Racing replacement tighthead Oz collapses. 


01:15 PM

50 min: Racing 9 Saracens 12

Iribaren catches Goode in the air chasing a high ball, and Goode nudges the visitors into Racing territory, giving his side a lineout.

But Barritt spills forward, and Thomas and Vakatawa look to exploit. The former kicks downfield, but Goode has read the danger and calls a mark.


01:13 PM

PEN GOODE: Racing 9 Saracens 12

What a start to the half for Saracens. Six points in seven minutes and they take the lead.

Racing have started lackadaisically.


01:11 PM

45 min: Racing 9 Saracens 9

Saracens have come out with a bang after half-time.

It's wondrous, harrying defence from the visitors, and they force Racing to knock-on just inside their half.

The bad news continues for the home side, as they are penalised at the scrum.


01:09 PM

PEN GOODE: Racing 9 Saracens 9

A fantastic start to the half from Saracens.


01:07 PM

42 min: Racing 9 Saracens 6

A very punchy start from Saracens.

They recover a Wigglesworth box kick and make their way to Racing's 22, with Daly and Morris both prominent.

Claassen is penalised for a deliberate knock-on and Goode will have an easy shot to bring his side back level.


01:05 PM

Second half

Back underway in Paris. As Saracens clear Russell's restart.


12:56 PM

To confirm

The half-time score is 9-6 to Racing.

A truly bizarre end to the half - no one seemed to know what the score was!


12:54 PM

The half's main talking point

Racing were pinged for not using the ball at the back of the ruck when asked to by referee Nigel Owens. Take a picture of it; tell the grandkids.


12:52 PM

Half-time: Racing 9 Saracens 6

A bit of a drab affair, in honesty. A draw would probably be the fair result at the minute, with neither team really doing enough to justify a lead.


12:50 PM

PEN IRIBAREN: Racing 9 Saracens 6

Immense confusion here. The flags have gone up, but no one seems to know whether the kick was successful or not. The in-house scoreboard stays at 6-6, but belatedly updates to 9-6.

We shall update shortly!


12:48 PM

39 min: Racing 6 Saracens 6

Gorgeous from Racing as they give themselves a chance to take the lead before half-time.

Russell scoops up a Saracens kick in his own 22, but he steps to the left and finds Thomas in space. The Racing wing streaks down the sideline, chips in Saracens' 22 and Daly has no choice but to run it into touch.

Saracens are pinged at the ensuing lineout, and Iribaren will have a simple chance to give Racing the lead at the break.


12:45 PM

36 min: Racing 6 Saracens 6

It is all a bit cagey.

Russell hammers Goode with Saracens on the attack, before Saracens put the bomb up. Zebo takes it emphatically - leaping like a salmon, but Chat drops a simple pass from the next phase, and Saracens will put into another scrum on the Racing 22-metre line.

But Mako is pinged at the scrum and Racing clear.


12:42 PM

34 min: Racing 6 Saracens 6

Mako, Rhodes, George, Maitland all carry with vigour for Saracens, before Wigglesworth tests Thomas with another box kick.

He's not under much pressure, but he spills it forward - again. It could be a long afternoon for him. Saracens with another scrum inside the Racing 22.


12:40 PM

PEN IRIBAREN: Racing 6 Saracens 6

Iribaren makes no mistake, and we are back on equal terms in Paris.


12:39 PM

32 min: Racing 3 Saracens 6

But straight from the restart, Koch is penalised (harshly) for going off his feet at a ruck.

Iribaren with an immediate opportunity to level the scores.


12:38 PM

PEN GOODE: Racing 3 Saracens 6

It's a nice strike from Goode, and the visitors take the lead for the first time.


12:37 PM

30 min: Racing 3 Saracens 3

Just as Saracens were looking dangerous, Iribaren intercepts a Wigglesworth pass and Racing ignite. Vakatawa feeds Thomas, who makes progress down the right, but Maitland works hard to track back and win a holding-on penalty.

Goode will have a tricky shot at goal.


12:35 PM

28 min: Racing 3 Saracens 3

Rhodes mimics Stretch Armstrong to win a lineout for Saracens as they move into Racing's half.

Daly slides a really awkward grubber through to Zebo in the Racing backfield, and it skips off the artificial turf forcing the Racing full-back to knock-on. Scrum Saracens, wide right, in the Racing 22.


12:33 PM

26 min: Racing 3 Saracens 3

A great high-ball take from Claasen on halfway gives Racing the chance to ask some questions of the visitors, but just as they are beginning to probe Barritt chops Ben Arous and Racing's athletic prop spills forward. Scrum to Saracens on halfway.


12:31 PM

PEN GOODE: Racing 3 Saracens 3

Easy as you like for Goode, and it is even stevens.


12:31 PM

23 min: Racing 3 Saracens 0

Billy picks up from the base for Saracens but Lauret is penalised for not using his arms in the tackle.

Goode will surely bring Saracens even; it is bang in front.


12:30 PM

22 min: Racing 3 Saracens 0

Racing have been penalised by Nigel Owens for not using the ball quickly enough at the back of a ruck following their five-metre lineout - take a picture!

What it means is that Saracens have a very dangerous five-metre attacking scrum.


12:27 PM

20 min: Racing 3 Saracens 0

Saracens clear as Ben Arous is pinged for dragging down a maul.

It is very, very good from Saracens. A pinpoint box-kick from Wigglesworth, that Thomas cannot take cleanly. Saracens come back up with the ball and Wigglesworth chips over into Racing's five-metre line, giving the home side the lineout.


12:24 PM

18 min: Racing 3 Saracens 0

Racing test Saracens' defence in the midfield, as Russell almost puts Vakatawa clear.

Racing's fly-half decides that pragmatism is best, however, nudging a grubber through into Saracens' 22, giving the visitors the lineout.


12:22 PM

16 min: Racing 3 Saracens 0

Bird steals the lineout for Racing; sloppy from Saracens.

But the visitors come back as Maitland regathers Russell's clearance. The Vunipolas combine majestically - offloading and carrying - to take Saracens back up into the Racing 22.

But Iribaren pinches the ball back, and Saracens are penalised for an offside.


12:20 PM

14 min: Racing 3 Saracens 0

It was a touch too far for Iribaren this time, pushing his attempt to the left of the posts.

Russell puts the bomb up again, and Ryan thinks he's away as he collects the loose ball, but there was a knock-on from a team-mate as they contested for the ball in the air, so the lock is penalised and Saracens kick down to Racing's 22.


12:18 PM

12 min: Racing 3 Saracens 0

That is sublime work from Ryan for Racing. 

Saracens look to counter but Daly is caught on halfway. Ryan gets all over the ball like a cheap suit and he wins a holding-on penalty for his side.

Iribaren, from further out than his last successful effort, will go for the sticks again.

Meanwhile, Morris is on for Taylor for Saracens.


12:16 PM

PEN IRIBAREN: Racing 3 Saracens 0

It's a sweet strike, and Racing take the lead.


12:15 PM

10 min: Racing 0 Saracens 0

Imhoff spots space down the blindside as Racing go on the attack.

The home side aren't able to surge through the gears, however, as Saracens are penalised for not rolling away.

Iribaren will have a shot at goal from 43 metres. He doesn't miss many, remember.


12:13 PM

7 min: Racing 0 Saracens 0

Saracens look to counter through Maitland after they clear their lines.

A fantastic hit on Mako from Lauret and Ryan causes the England prop to spill. Racing scrum just inside their own half.


12:10 PM

5 min: Racing 0 Saracens 0

Sanconnie does depart, replaced by Chouzenoux.

Racing ignite a sweeping attack, Russell pulling the strings and stretching the Saracens defence.

Vakatawa leaves Taylor for dead, before Russell puts up a high bomb into the Saracens 22.  Maitland just about deals with it, tackling Zebo into touch who pounced on the loose ball, and Saracens will throw in inside their own 22.


12:06 PM

3 min: Racing 0 Saracens 0

Racing attack Saracens at the breakdown, disrupting the visitors' ball. Daly cuts a fantastic line off a cutting George pass to get Saracens back on the front foot, but the attack breaks down as the ball spills forward.

Sanconnie has gone down very, very awkwardly from a head knock as he tried to tackle Goode.

There could be a long pause here.


12:03 PM

2 min: Racing 0 Saracens 0

Saracens with an early attack following Russell's clearance and they start promisingly. Goode jinking, Maitland makes a half-break, and eventually Daly threads a kick through into touch behind Thomas, in the corner.

Racing - and Russell - clear comfortably from the lineout, however.


12:01 PM

Kick-off

Alex Goode to get us underway.


11:57 AM

Five minutes until kick-off

And some live shots from Paris' La Defense Arena.

Mark McCall - GETTY IMAGES
Racing's squad - GETTY IMAGES
Finn Russell and Elliot Daly chat pre-match - GETTY IMAGES

11:43 AM

Mark McCall speaks pre-match

We have a very experienced group. We have played a lot of knockout rugby and we have shown enough over the last five years that we can back up last weekend.
Racing are a really good team. We have to not concentrate on Finn Russell, and take away some of the options that he has, to stop his momentum. We have to play our game, too.
A lot of our motivation has come from within over the last 10 months. I think you saw that in the togetherness and unity in the performance last week.
Mark McCall - GETTY IMAGES

11:39 AM

Team news

Saracens are unchanged from that victory in Dublin but the big news, I guess, is that there is no Bernard Le Roux for Racing.  The lock-cum-flanker must be injured, as he has been one of the world's best forwards in 2020.

Le Roux's absence is such that, although Racing remain favourites, Saracens's task has become slightly easier.


11:23 AM

Good afternoon

Hello and welcome to Telegraph Sport's live coverage of the first of this afternoon's Champions Cup semi-finals, between Racing 92 and Saracens at the Paris La Defense Arena.

Can Mark McCall's men do it again? With a last-place finish in the Premiership confirmed, their European crusade represents their last chance for glory. Their titanic victory against Leinster in Dublin was a supreme show of collective unity, with a game plan that was executed to pinpoint precision. But, as impressive as that Dublin victory was, there is a sense that today might be an even tougher challenge against these quickfiring Parisian aristocrats.

Against Leinster, Saracens knew what to expect. They were coming up against a collective threat, grounded in slick organisation and accuracy. Racing, however, are not in that mould. The French league leaders possess threats everywhere: from the rollicking Camille Chat - is there a better hooker in world rugby at the minute? - to the quick-witted Finn Russell, the athletics Virimi Vakatawa and the fleet-footed Teddy Thomas. This team won comfortably against Clermont in Montferrand last weekend; not many teams do that.

The nuts and bolts of Saracens game that went so well at the Aviva Stadium last weekend - scrummaging, breakdown aggression, and that phenomenal box-kick-and-chase game - will have to be flawless once again if they are to reach their fourth Heineken Cup final in five years with a win indoors in Paris.

Racing's Irish lock Donnacha Ryan, meanwhile, was fully aware of the threat that Saracens pose when he spoke to Charlie Morgan earlier in the week.

“They’re a very well organised, well coached team with a fantastic culture in the group that is plain for all to see,” Ryan said.

“They got such a good start, made Leinster look really uncomfortable and were full value for their win.

“The stadium was empty but, I have to say, it looked like they created their own atmosphere on the pitch, imposed their gameplan on Leinster and were able to get over the line.”