Saracens Women Director of Rugby Alex Austerberry could not hide his delight after they brushed aside Sale Sharks Women 52-14 at CorpArq Stadium.

The visitors made it two from two in the PWR with Akina Gondwe, May Campbell, Isla Alejandro, Jemma-Jo Linkins, Poppy Cleall, Leanne Infante and Daisy Fitzgerald all crossing to hand Saracens a vital victory.

And having witnessed a complete and dominating performance on both ends of the pitch, Austerberry lavished praise on his side.

Speaking to in-house media, he said: “There were some outstanding passages of play. We invited pressure on ourselves at the start but then grew into the game in challenging conditions.

“Some of the free-flowing rugby we showed was really impressive. Fair credit to Sale, it’s always a challenge up at their place and they put you under real physical pressure, but we found a way to deal with their threats.

“Sale are a side that really make you have to earn your points, so to come away with the full five points is very pleasing. There were some outstanding elements in that performance.”

Elsewhere, the men's side succumbed to a first Premiership Rugby derby defeat in nine matches against Harlequins at the Stoop, losing out 17-10 on a day marred by Andy Onyeama-Christie's serious ankle injury.

The Scotland flanker was stretchered off in the seventh minute after sustaining a suspected fractured and dislocated ankle attempting to cross over the line following a close-range line-out, with live TV broadcasters opting to not replay the passage of play and several of Onyeama-Christime's teammates appearing visibly upset.

Having begun his season in fine form with two tries in Saracens' season opener against Gloucester, the Scotland man faces another extended spell on the sidelines, having missed the end of last season with a broken arm.

Saracens Director of Rugby Mark McCall told BBC Radio London: "Everybody is gutted for him - it's horrendous.

"It doesn't look great, I don't think. We're talking maybe a fracture/dislocation of his ankle. Just gutted for him, everybody is gutted for him.

"He's had a really tough few years, two broken arms. For that to happen is just horrendous for him. All our thoughts are with him.

"He's put so much work in post [after] that second broken arm – a cruel end to last season.

"He was the first player at the club to come back over the summer. He has played brilliantly for us since the start of the season so for that to happen is horrendous.

"We'll look after him and get him back."