Farrell booed in Bulls charge

OWEN FARRELL met a hostile reception as the crowd booed his every kick.

Farrell, who returned to Saracens after his decision to take a break from international rugby, was one of his side’s better players, despite being booed when he kicked and cheered when he missed both conversions.

But against a Bulls side who revelled in the conditions — a balmy 24 degrees after a thunderstorm took the temperature down from the afternoon 36 degrees — the London side struggled, losing both Maro Itoje and Alex Goode to yellow cards in the first half.

Ironically it was the loss of Billy Vunipola to a red card in the second half that seemed to galvanise them, after the England No8 was given his marching orders for a reckless high tackle that seemed to make marginal contact with Cameron Hanekom. By that time

Saracens should have been on the rack, but the Bulls had three tries disallowed by the

TMO and led 20-6 at the break.

The key try came when Kurt-Lee

Arendse tore open the defence after a poor c l e a r a n c e from Farrell to put his World Cup teammate Canan Moodie away for a try.

Bulls coach Jake White apologised for the consistent booing.