Saracens
Saracens become the first side to win all nine of their matches on to way to European glory. Getty Images

Owen Farrell kicked seven penalties to inspire Saracens to their first major European triumph as they claiming the Champions Cup with a narrow win over Racing 92 in Lyon. With Dan Carter injured and ineffectual it was the England fly-half who came to the fore for Mark McCall's side as the continent's premier rugby title want back into English hands.

With New Zealander Carter struggling with knee and calf problems, meaning Maxime Machenaud took on kicking duties, the reigning Premiership champions went into a six-point half time lead through the metronomic boot of Farrell. Carter lasted two minutes after the break before being replaced and the change allows Sarries to cement their advantage.

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Racing staged a brief comeback when Johan Goosen reduced the arrears back to six with 19 minutes remaining, but two further blows from Farrell saw Saracens avenge their defeat to Toulon two years previous to become the first side to win the trophy following an unbeaten campaign.

"It is a great moment for the club," Farrell told Sky Sports. "To be involved in a great competition like this and play against great team like Racing. To come out with this trophy is brilliant. I am just glad I could put the points over for the lads who won the penalties. They have worked hard all game to put in positions to get opportunities to get points and I'm just thankful that I could

"We lost momentum for a good while towards the last 20 minutes and we got it back with a few good turnovers and some defensive sets and really got stuck into them./hat shows how call these boys were going into the game. We didn't panic, we have been brilliant all week and it is just like another game. Obviously it's not but it is brilliant.

"It is a brilliant achievement [to win the trophy unbeaten] for the lads. It is going to be something that everyone remembers."