Saracens’ Barritt out of derby clash with Quins
Brad Barritt of Saracens receives medical attention after taking a boot to the face against Bath (pic: Paul Harding/PA) - Credit: PA Wire/PA Images
Allianz Park outfit cruised to a 50-27 win at home to
Saracens visit London rivals Harlequins in the Gallagher Premiership on Saturday, but will do so without skipper Brad Barritt.
The centre went off midway through the first half of a 50-27 triumph at home to Bath last weekend after taking a boot to the face.
The 32-year-old has undergone surgery on the injury, but it is expected his absence from the field will only be short-term.
Barritt was replaced against Bath by Nick Tompkins, who scored a try and linked well with centre partner Alex Lozowski in an impressive performance.
Another man who caught the eye for the north Londoners last weekend was Alex Goode, who delivered a counter-attacking masterclass from fullback.
The 30-year-old scored one try and assisted three others, and also made 213 metres — the most by a player in an English top-flight game for five years.
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Goode has been in fine form in the early weeks of the season for the reigning Premiership champions, but looks no nearer to earning a recall to Eddie Jones’ Englad side.
Sarries director of rugby Mark McCall, though, says it is a measure of the man Goode is that he is able to still give performances of the highest calibre despite his continuing disappointment at missing out on national selection.
“It says a lot about his hunger to play at the highest level. He’s desperate to play for England and that’s the one thing you need to know,” said McCall
“He works incredibly hard, harder than people would think with all of his natural ability.
“He’s worked hard to be quicker, he’s work hard to get his body in better shape and you could see that against Bath.
“It wasn’t just his footwork which has always been magnificent, but he actually looked quick against Bath.
“That was as good a performance as he’s put in for us and he’s put in hundreds of good performances for us.
“His work on the ball, work off the ball, everything — it was an incredible performance.”
McCall will hope Goode and his colleagues can deliver another strong performance at The Stoop on Saturday as Saracens bid to make six bonus-point wins from six this season with victory away to their London rivals.
