Rugby: Sarries set to name new boss

Saracens hope to unveil their coaching successor to Francois Pienaar later this week.

Club chief executive Peter Deakin has been busily engaged in finding a replacement for South African Pienaar, and an appointment is likely within the next few days.

Leinster’s Australian supremo Matt Williams is understood to be among the front-runners to take over from Pienaar.

‘‘We would hope to make an announcement about a new coach this week,’’ said Deakin. ‘‘We hope we can put the matter to bed.’’

If the new man does arrive some time this week, at least he will inherit a team which returned to winning Zurich Premiership ways with a 33-11 victory over fellow strugglers Bath yesterday.

Saracens’ emphatic Vicarage Road success lifted them two places into the top eight and was secured thanks to second-half tries from England scrum-half Kyran Bracken, flanker Kris Chesney and wing Gerald Arasa.

Centre Kevin Sorrell kicked 15 points, while there was also a drop goal for fly-half and caretaker coach Tim Horan.

But, while Saracens eased the pressure on themselves in the congested relegation region, Bath now find themselves in serious trouble.

They are just one point above bottom club Leeds and of their remaining six league matches difficult appointments with the likes of Gloucester, London Irish and Northampton lie ahead.

They were without injured international quartet Mike Catt, Matt Perry, Kevin Maggs and Gareth Cooper - but even their influential absence could not detract from a woeful effort.

Fly-half Olly Barkley booted two penalties and England centre Mike Tindall grabbed a late consolation try.

But Bath were blown away in the second period after trailing just 9-6 at the interval.

‘‘That game was a real reality check for everyone,’’ said Bath’s Australian team director Michael Foley.

‘‘We’ve won games this season on the back of individual performances, but now that we’ve suffered injuries to some key players the depth of our squad is not strong enough.

‘‘I will stand by the players and, while I won’t defend the mistakes they made, I will support their endeavours to get better.

‘‘It is a very tough road ahead, but we have to resist any external pressures and establish some basics in our game.

‘‘I wish there were easy answers, but there is a lack of confidence in the team at the moment. When the pressure comes on in games we make mistakes which are uncharacteristic.’’