North Londoners head north in league on Friday

Ham & High: Saracens prop Richard Barrington (pic: Adam Davy/PA)Saracens prop Richard Barrington (pic: Adam Davy/PA) (Image: PA Archive/PA Images)

Prop Richard Barrington says Saracens can head to Sale Sharks in the Aviva Premiership on Friday full of confidence after successfully battling Newcastle Falcons and the conditions last Saturday.

The north Londoners marked five years since their first game at their Allianz Park home with a 25-3 success against Falcons.

Mark McCall’s men scored three tries in that game, with Barrington and Max Malins crossing the whitewash either side of a penalty try for the hosts.

Saracens narrowly missed out on a try bonus point that would have taken them to within a point of leaders Exeter Chiefs, but Barrington was still pleased to win nonetheless.

“It was good to get the win. Unfortunately we didn’t get the bonus point at the end, but we’ll take the win and bounce on to Sale on Friday,” the 28-year-old told the club website.

“The conditions were difficult against Newcastle so it probably wasn’t the most exciting game to watch in the second half. The result is done, so it’s off to Sale for our next job now.”

Fellow prop Juan Figallo was also delighted with the success Saracens recorder over Falcons, despite missing several players through international duty.

McCall’s men were able to beat Newcastle despite missing the likes of Richard Wigglesworth, Owen Farrell, Mako Vunipola, Jamies George, Maro Itoje and George Kruis, all of whom were playing for England in the Six Nations.

Despite having a notable lists of absentees, Sarries racked up a fourth straight win in the league, much to the delight of Figallo.

“I’m very pleased, more so with the first half because we did quite a good job then. In the second half, there were a few mistakes we need to sort out,” the 29-year-old told the club website.

“We continued in what we call the ‘bad circle’ and we should have turned that around earlier and finish the game in a good place.

“I’m pleased we won, it’s a big team we played and happy we got the result in the conditions.”

When Saracens hosted Sale back in September, a Ben Spencer brace and 16 points from the boot of Farrell helped the north Londoners to a 41-13 success.

A similar result this weekend could see McCall’s men take over at the top of the table from Exeter.