Mark McCall was left hugely satisfied after his Saracens charges ran in 48 unanswered second-half points against sorry Northampton Saints.

The Men in Black tore the Saints apart in a scintillating second-half performance at Franklin’s Gardens as they ran out 63-13 winners.

The victory sees McCall’s side keep in touch with leaders Exeter atop the Premiership standings, Sarries being eight points adrift of the Chiefs on 70.

Tellingly, they are six clear of Leicester Tigers in third and McCall is wasting no time in turning his side’s attentions to the season run-in.

“We took control in the second half,” he said.

“In the first half we were good with the ball but maybe not so good without it. They’d caused us a few problems on the short side and we defended much better after half-time; we didn’t have any switch-off moments.

“We were good with the ball throughout and ended up playing some great rugby in the second half.

“To have a six-day turnaround after what was an emotional occasion against Leinster and to produce what we have in an away game takes a bit of doing.

“We’ve got three games left to get as many points as we can and we want a home semi-final.”