Saracens 32-17 Leicester: Maro Itoje overcomes World Cup frustrations to inspire Sarries to a bonus win

Maro Itoje got rid of his World Cup frustrations by inspiring Saracens to a bonus point win as Leicester were blown away.

The lock, along with six team mates on Saturday, was part of England’s 23 in the heart-breaking semi-final defeat against South Africa two weeks ago.

He kicked off the scoring on 15 minutes and Jamie George grabbed the bonus point on 53 minutes before Owen Farrell’s boot kept Leicester at bay.

Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall said: ‘Maro was magnificent, as were all the other international players who have been away at the World Cup.

‘It was a bit of a gamble [to play them]. We had seven England internationals coming back who had not been at the club and had two days’ prep.’

The lock kicked off scoring on 15 minutes and Jamie George (left) grabbed the bonus point

Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall heaped praise on Itoje and other international players

Leicester handed their international contingent including Ben Youngs, Freddie Steward, Handre Pollard and Jasper Wiese the weekend off and it backfired.

However, Tigers’ head coach Dan McKellar said: ‘My approach was always to give the boys a week off after the World Cup.

‘It’s a huge emotional and physical toll on their bodies to go through a World Cup, three or four months in camp. Mark [McCall] took a different approach. There’s no right or wrong.’

George scored after Andy Christie and Billy Vunipola had added to Itoje’s opener. Tom Whiteley and Jamie Shillcock went over late for the visitors but Farrell finished it off.

Saracens: Tries: Itoje, Christie, B.Vunipola, George; Cons: O.Farrell (3); Pens: Farrell (2)Leicester: Tries: Whiteley, Shillcock; Cons: Atkinson, Shillcock; Pens: Shillcock