On this day in 2016: Saracens beat Racing 92 to win the European Champions Cup

Saracens triumphed 21-9 over Racing 92 to win the European Champion Clubs’ Cup final on this day in 2016.

The win saw Saracens become the first English club to win the continent’s top club competition since Wasps were crowned champions in 2007.

Saracens’ success came after they had lost twice in the semifinals and once in the final over the previous three years.

They became the first team to win all nine of their games in the competition after Owen Farrell’s seven penalties led them to a maiden title in Lyon.

Johan Goosen responded with three penalties for Racing, but the loss of New Zealand fly half Dan Carter to injury early in the second half dealt a heavy blow to the French team who were joined by Maxime Machenaud on the bench.

The final turned out to be an often ugly encounter, with neither side really threatening to score a try, but that would not worry the Saracens as they went on to win.

The teams traded penalties before Machenaud was sent off with a concussion in the 22nd minute, and Farrell kicked past the Saracens to take a 9-3 half-time lead.

Carter, who had looked below his best, was forced to retire early in the second half and Saracens continued to pull away.

“We have had big disappointments, but we have come back stronger and stronger and we are happy to have finally made it,” said man of the match Maro Itoje.

“We knew this was a game we could win, we had a way to get into the game. We knew that if we did what we do, master the payline, we could win. We will enjoy tonight and build from there.”

Saracens lifted the trophy again 12 months later with a 28-17 win over Clermont, then again in 2019 by beating Leinster 20-10.