• Saracens 26-14 Harlequins

Farrell delighted with son Owen's performance

Saracens coach Andy Farrell paid tribute to the man-of-the-match performance of his teenage son Owen in the 26-14 win over Harlequins which lifted his side up to third in the Aviva Premiership.

The 19-year-old fly-half kicked four penalties and converted tries by David Strettle and Schalk Brits.

His father said: "I have been watching him and analysing him all of his life, so he knows I will be an objective critic. But he played a very fine game out there, and I'm very chuffed he was made man of the match.

"Circumstances have meant that we have put a number of the academy boys into the first XV recently, and they have all done well in my opinion. They make mistakes, of course they do. But they learn from them, as we all did as players.

"It was particularly good to see Owen kicking so well tactically, taking his time and making his decisions calmly. The best fly-halves play as if they are wearing dinner suits, that is when they are controlling things and looking settled.

"We worked hard for that win and deserved it. Now it about switching our focus to the Heineken Cup and the visit of Racing Metro to Vicarage Road next weekend. We have work to do in that competition, but this result puts us back in the area we want to be in, the top four."

It was also a special day for England wing Strettle, who marked an impressive performance against his old club by scoring his first Premiership try of the season.

Strettle said: "It feels very special for me, to score that try against old mates. But more importantly, it is a big win for us heading into a tough end-of-year programme.

"I had good times at Quins, but I came to Saracens to join something special, and have not been disappointed. We have produced a number of decent performances this season without always getting the results we deserve, so to achieve that against a very positive Quins side is hugely satisfying."

Saracens head coach Mark McCall added: "Owen controlled the game with maturity beyond his years. He can play centre of fly-half with equal authority, and we are delighted, both with the win, and with his performance."

Harlequins rugby director Conor O'Shea bemoaned another away defeat for his side, who have not won on their travels in the Premiership for 12 months, recording one draw and 10 defeats. Quins took an early lead through an unconverted try by George Lowe and Nick Evans kicked three penalties, but they did not do enough to secure a losing bonus point.

O'Shea said: "We came here with so many high hopes, yet we did not fire a bullet. It is very disappointing, especially after making so promising a start.

"We need to be more ruthless in terms of taking our chances and in protecting our possession. We have a splendid record at Twickenham Stoop, and there is no reason why we should not be more successful on the road."

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