Saracens 50-17 Bristol Bears result - Sarries dominate for comfortable home win

Saracens dominated in their first home game with a seven-try victory over an injury-stricken Bristol Bears, despite hat-trick scorer Kieran Marmion’s best efforts.

Sarries came out firing in the first half as Theo Dan, Nick Isiekwe, Max Malins and Nick Tompkins all scored before the break, leaving a struggling Bristol without a point. 

Marmion, fuelled with the passion of someone scorned by a try-less first half, scored a second-half hat-trick, but it barely touched the sides as Hugh Tizard and Jack Bracken scored another three between them, giving Saracens half a century of points in front of a home crowd. 

Dan opened the scoring within the first three minutes of the match, creating magic from nowhere, a lead which was doubled only two minutes later by Isiekwe, who found a gap next to the posts from a ruck. 

Malins shone throughout, but his try, which was supported by skipper Ivan Van Zyl, was sheer flamboyance as they gave Saracens a comfortable lead against a tiring Bristol, only for Tompkins to add a bonus point to what now seemed like a guaranteed win moments before the break off a penalty caused by Viliame Mata. 

Bristol’s Louis Rees-Zammit was impressive, forging opportunities for two of Marmion's three tries, showing a small but bright light of positivity for a side who faced seven changes from last week and continued to suffer injury woes throughout, with Rees-Zammit and Joe Jenkins both limping off the pitch. 

But Saracens returned to stellar form, despite missing key players, as Bracken was formidable in defence and put two tries past Bristol on his Gallagher PREM debut, with Tizard rounding out the scoreline with a try one minute before the whistle - sealing his side's spot at the top of the table.

TNT Sports will bring you live action from England's premier men's rugby competition - the Gallagher PREM - during the 2025/26 season. This article details how to live stream Gallagher PREM rugby matches on discovery+ in the UK and watch via TNT Sports' TV channels on platforms including Sky, BT and Virgin Media. All 93 Gallagher PREM matches will be broadcast on TNT Sports or discovery+.

Bears' defeat was not the only big loss on Saturday.

Harlequins gave away a massive lead on their visit to Leicester. In their second defeat of the season, Quin's crumbled in the second half.

Pat Lam spoke to TNT Sports after the match to discuss their ninth defeat on the bounce against Saracens.

He said: "Yeah, not ideal, not a great night, but well done to Sarries, they were on fire. They fed off the penalties that we gave, mistakes that we made and their first 20 minutes, they blew us away, and we're not proud about that.

"But that is one thing about rugby, it's like life, we have just got to dump all that now."

On the injury crisis that has crippled the squad, Lam said: "We should have a few more numbers back for next week and get some good preparation back at home.

"We'll have to wait and see if players make it back for next week."

Owen Farrell told TNT Sports what it was like to be back at Saracens after a year away.

He said: "Brilliant, especially on days like today. But it’s been good and fairly easy to slot back in. 

"But it comes with a freshness, really a lot of young lads, a lot of new faces, a lot of relationships to make up, and it’s been a good couple of weeks, and we’re looking forward to what’s to come."

It was an uphill battle today for Bristol.

They came to the Stone X with a diminished squad, missing key players who were essential to their success last week.

The defeat means their record against Saracens is now nine defeats from the last nine meetings.

Player of the Match Tom Willis shared his thoughts post match.

He told TNT Sports: "Yeah great start, especially for our first home game, which is where you want to lay a marker down.

"We had a great pre-season, with trips and games and got ourselves into a good spot, and everyone's confident. We know that last year was close, and the league is so tight, so we need to come out fast."

Willis also spoke about Bristol. He said: "I guess it was about trying to neutralise what they offer.

"We know they're probably the most attacking, dangerous team in the Premiership when you let them go. We tried to put them under pressure and it worked out well today."

Saracens were on top form. Free-flowing rugby from the hosts to give them two wins from two games.

They now sit on top of the Gallagher PREM table.

And that's it. Bristol's win-less record at the Stone X continues.

They were within inches, Thacker was integral. He launched himself forward and its thought to be a try.

But on review, its dropped and knocked on.

Doesn't that just sum up the day for Bristol. They leave without a bonus point.

The clock's in the red, Bears are in possession from the line-out.

The seventh try of the day for Sarries as they pushed their way into the Bristol half.

From there it was Tizard who got the ball over the line.

Farrell gets the extras to give Saracens half a century in points tonight.

The Bears continue to work through the phases in a bid to reduce the deficit further.

Passes out wide to Owen on the edge are shut down by Bracken.

From the line-out, Marmion is waiting to be given the ball, and from there he runs to the try-line. It's his third of the night. A bright spark in a nightmare night for Bears.

Worsley's kick goes just wide. Only the five from Marmion.

Bears lose possession from the lineout by Sodeke. Saracens out of the red zone now.

From a penalty kick, Bears win the line out, gain another penalty advantage to bring themselves within a matter of meters from the try-line.

BEARS ON THE ATTACK
Sarries are not waning in their defence. Their wall is impregnable. Its hard fought meters for Bears, but that's the problem, it is just a few metres.

Rees-Zammit has just been shown being carried off the pitch.

Unsure how it happened, but one thing is for sure, it is another blow for Pat Lam's Bristol.

Rees-Zammit has been essential in the two tries today. It adds to the list of AJ MacGinty, Gabriel Ibitoye and Harry Randall.

They keep missing opportunities and then being sent back into their 22, Bristol are giving themselves a lot of work tonight.

Rees-Zammitt injected some pace into play and catches Sarries off-guard.

He throws it out to the wing, where its then paced into Marmion.

Marmion gets his second, and Bears reduce their deficit. The kick is also converted to help the blow.