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Sean Maitland celebrates scoring a try during the Round 3 win over Cardiff Blues
Saracens have made the perfect start to this season’s Heineken Champions Cup and will be looking for a fourth straight victory when they travel to face Cardiff Blues on Saturday. The action is live on Channel 4, Virgin Media and BT Sport from 13:00 GMT.
- Cardiff lost their first home game of the season against Glasgow in Round 2, however, they’ve not lost consecutive home matches in Europe since 2012/13 when they were beaten RC Toulon and Montpellier.
- Saracens have lost just one of their last 10 pool games away from home, with that solitary defeat coming against Clermont against Stade Marcel-Michelin in 2017/18.
- This will be just the sixth time Saracens have played in Wales, losing just one of the previous five.
- Cardiff have won seven of their last nine home games against Premiership opposition in the tournament, although they did lose their most recent such game against Exeter Chiefs in January 2014.
- Saracens are one of three clubs with a 100% win rate this season, and they are the only side yet to allow their opponents to register any match points.
📺 SARRIES FAN TV 🗣
It's a @ChampionsCup #SarriesFanTV this week following our victory over @cardiff_blues!
🔍 Will you be in Cardiff? Make yourselves known at full-time! 🔎 pic.twitter.com/BvSpkzpBaZ
— Saracens Rugby Club (@Saracens) December 12, 2018
Cardiff Blues' Gareth Anscombe with Will Skelton of Saracens.
Saracens put in an efficient display to maintain their 100 per cent record in the Heineken Champions Cup this season and remain top of Pool 3 after defeating Cardiff 26-14 at Cardiff Arms Park.
It was the two-time European champions Saracens that got off to the better start with Scotland international Sean Maitland finishing excellently in the corner. Owen Farrell converted the wing’s effort.
A successful penalty kick from from Owen Farrell extended their advantage but Cardiff hit back through a well-work move off the scum with centre Rey Lee-Lo crossing over. Anscombe added the extras to further reduce the deficit.
📸 | What a try! Maitland beats four men on the way to the opening score. ⚫️🔴 pic.twitter.com/mANfcEljig
— Saracens Rugby Club (@Saracens) December 15, 2018
Farrell stretched Saracens’ lead with a penalty once more but it was Cardiff that went into the break ahead.
A chip in behind Saracens’ defence from fly-half Anscombe was collected by Garyn Smith who put in full-back Dan Fish for a simple finish to give the Blues a 14-13 lead at half-time.
Farrell scored two penalties to put the English side back ahead after the break but when lock Will Skelton was sent to the bin, Cardiff sniffed an upset in front of a home crowd.
However, Saracens used all their experience to hold off the Blues and the Heineken Man of the Match, Jamie George, ensured they travelled back to London with their unbeaten record in tact, scoring a try from a line-out.
Cardiff travel to Scotstoun Stadium in Round 5 to face Glasgow Warriors, while Saracens head to Lyon on Sunday 13 January, 2019. Both games are live on BT Sport.
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