Saracens 15-15 Gloucester

Owen Farrell and Freddie Burns kicked five penalties apiece as Gloucester held Saracens to a 15-15 draw.

Despite the attacking talent on display on both sides, some extremely wet conditions at Vicarage Road dictated that kicking was the order of the day in the first half.

Both teams found it difficult to retain possession and keep their footing and only several indiscretions at rucks and scrums provided opportunities to get points on the board via the boot.

The two young England hopefuls playing at fly-half took advantage of the majority of the chances they were presented in an opening period that was almost bereft of try-scoring opportunities to leave the score 9-6 at the interval.

The game continued in the same vain after half-time and ill-discipline from both sets of forwards allowed Farrell and Burns to exchange penalties once more before Saracens called for a couple of vastly experienced and formidable front row replacements in John Smit and Carlos Nieto.

Gloucester showed real spirit and determination to hang on to the coattails of the reigning Premiership champions though and they finally levelled the scores at 12-12 midway through the second half.

But the concession of another needless penalty soon after allowed the increasingly impressive Farrell to restore Sarries' slender lead. With a little over ten minutes remaining, the odds on the home side grinding out another ruthlessly efficient victory were shortening.

However, the Cherry and Whites refused to give in and with just two minutes left on the clock Burns knocked over another nerveless penalty to ensure that they travelled back to the West Country with a share of the spoils.