Overview

• Nick Tompkins scored twice, with additional tries from Brandon Jackson, Andy Onyeama-Christie and debutant Noah Caluori.
• Saracens played 20 minutes down after flanker Nathan Michelow was shown the Premiership’s first 20-minute red card for a dangerous tackle.
• Newcastle struck first through Alex Hearle in the second minute and later added Freddie Clarke’s try, but errors and set-piece struggles told.
• The 39-17 result delivered the four-try bonus point for Saracens, an early boost in the league standings.
• Newcastle’s rebrand under Red Bull drew a 10,210 sell-out, yet the club’s run of bottom finishes in recent seasons showed in this opening defeat.