Saracens 27-5 Bulls: George and Earl tries help Sarries to Investec Champions Cup win

Saracens wanted a reaction after their loss to Newcastle and delivered with an aggressive display against physical opposition.

Playing into the wind in the first half, Saracens fought back well after De Klerk gave the visitors the perfect start.

Carre bundled his way over after the home side drove the Bulls pack backwards, as Saracens’ international stars showed all their experience to take the initiative.

Mark McCall’s side might have led by more than three points but fly-half Burke endured a challenging half with the boot.

With the wind causing havoc, the New Zealander smacked the post from 15 yards with one penalty and had a conversion blown well wide of the posts by a gust.

England back Elliot Daly also fell foul of the stormy conditions when he attempted to find touch with one of his booming kicks, only to see the ball blown back behind him.

When Burke nailed a kick, the crowd raised an ironic cheer but it gave his team-mates a huge lift as they went into the break with a vital lead.

The forwards tightened Saracens’ grip on the match in the second half.

Itoje had the ball knocked out of his hands as he went to dive over the line but, with the Bulls down to 13 after Kirsten made head contact with Rotimi Segun in a high tackle and De Klerk infringed moments later, the Saracens captain played a key part in the try for his international skipper George.

Itoje rose high to take a line-out ball, the pack pushed the Bulls back and George dropped down over the line, thumping the turf with his fist in celebration.

Eroni Mawi powered through after Theo McFarland charged down a Bulls kick and presented Willis with the chance to score the third.

Earl’s try was the best finish. The England number eight, who came on in the second half, beat one defender with neat footwork and then held off another to ground the ball despite being tackled as he dived over in the corner.