Saracens on course in Cup

Saracens stayed on course for Tetley's Bitter Cup success yesterday after trouncing National League One leaders Worcester 42-13 at Vicarage Road to progress to the quarter-finals.

The Zurich Premiership table-toppers ran in six tries, including one from Australian double World Cup-winner Tim Horan on his home debut, despite the visitors taking an early lead.

There are concerns in some quarters, though, that the club's storming start to the season could come off the rails when they are deprived of up to 10 players because of the internationals during the next three weeks.

But rugby director Alan Zondagh last night insisted that his team will be able to maintain their impressive run of form.

'It was really encouraging to see youngsters such as Tom Shanklin and Gerald Arasa performing as well as they did against Worcester because we will have to use them in the next three weeks,' said the South African.

'Even though we have players such as Kyran Bracken out because of the internationals, we still have several experienced players here, so I'm confident they can do a job.' Skipper Bracken echoed Zondagh's comments, although he admitted that he feels torn between club and country. 'It is very difficult to leave the guys for the next three weeks, although I do expect them to keep on winning games and keep us at the top of the Premiership,' he said. 'Of course, I love playing for my country but I also want to see Saracens doing well.' Worcester took the lead yesterday through a Sateki Tuipulotu penalty after two minutes but Saracens quickly hit back, Darragh O'Mahony going over after a perfectly-floated pass by fly half Duncan McRae put him through on the left wing. Horan then crashed under the posts in the 28th minute and Saracens streaked ahead with further tries from Tony Roques and Ben Johnson to go in 28-6 ahead at half-time.