Saracens 24-32 Castres: Sarries miss out on home Champions Cup tie after shock defeat
2025-01-18
Category: sports

Investec Champions Cup Pool 3Saracens 24 (19)Tries: Dan (2), Earl (2) Cons: Lozowski (2)Castres 32 (17)Tries: Tukino, Seguret (2), Chabauni Cons: Le Brun (3) Pens: Le Brun (2)
Three-time winners Saracens fell to a shock 32-24 defeat by Castres as they missed out on a home tie in the last 16 of the Investec Champions Cup.Castres had not won an away match all season prior to this Pool 3 game and changed their entire starting XV after last week's win over the Bulls.In Maro Itoje's first match since being appointed England captain, Saracens led through two tries apiece from forwards Theo Dan and Ben Earl.But Castres, under new head coach Xavier Sadourny, took the lead in the closing stages thanks to a second try from captain Adrien Seguret.Saracens were unable to score the converted try that would have snatched victory as Castres sealed a deserved win with a late penalty to take second place in the pool.Both sides had secured their place in the knockout stage on Saturday after Bulls beat Stade Francais.Northampton Saints won the group, with Munster third and Saracens fourth.
Line-ups
Saracens: Daly; Elliott, Lozowski, Tompkins, Segun; Burke, Van Zyl; Mawi, Dan, Balmain, Itoje (capt), Tizard; Gonzalez, Earl, Willis.Replacements: George, Brantingham, Riccioni, Michelow, Knight, Simpson, Hartley, Hall.Castres: Chabouni; Hulleu, Seguret (capt), Cocagi, Raisuqe; Le Brun, Doubrere; Guerois-Galisson, Colonna, Corato, Maravat, Jedrasiak, Moore-Aiono, Meka, Tukino.Replacements: Zarantonello, De Benedittis, Azar, Macurdy, Peysson, Perrone, Dupont, ZeghdarReferee: Andrea Piardi (Ita)
More to follow.