Northampton boss Alan Dickens was left fuming at the final whistle after seeing his side capitulate after the break in the Aviva Premiership game against Saracens.
There were nine separate scorers for Saracens, with Alex Lozowski, Schalk Brits, Ben Spencer, Mako Vunipola, Liam Williams, Chris Wyles, Sean Maitland, Jackson Wray and Nathan Earle all going over as the Saints waved the white flag.
Sarries bounced back from their Champions Cup exit with a crushing 63-13 victory, the nine tries taking their tally against Northampton this season to 33 in just four matches.
The Saints were well in the game at half-time, trailing 15-13, with Reece Marshall having bagged a try on his first Premiership start – but they conceded 48 after the break.
Dickens admitted he was shocked and disappointed by the poor performance of Northampton when it mattered most.
“We spoke earlier in the week about where Saracens have picked us apart and it was the same here in the second half,” said Dickens.
“We gave them the ball, didn’t go through phases and they capitalised. We were all over the place.
“It was very disappointing. We capitulated. I hope they feel the hurt everyone else feels. I’m almost lost for words at that second-half performance.
“I’m sure they are hurting and it certainly matters to players like Reece Marshall.
“We let Saracens have the ball back time and time again – and that’s what hurt us in that second half.”
Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall lavished praise on his side after watching them turn on the style as they ran riot against Northampton.
McCall admitted he was pleased with his side’s response after they recovered from their crushing European exit at the hands of Leinster last time out.
Despite seeing his side score nine tries against a hapless Northampton, McCall revealed there is still room for improvement for Saracens.
He said: “It was really pleasing. To win that second half 48-0 and play the rugby we did was good.
“We were a little bit disappointed with how we played in the first half but it was really pleasing to see the way we kept them to zero in the second half.
“It says a lot about the group in that situation after travelling back from Dublin and having a short turnaround.
“We were away from home again and it says a lot that we could be as mentally tough as we were today.
“We came out of the blocks really well in that second half.”
