Saracens fear further Mako Vunipola blow after red card in win over Newcastle

Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall is having to sweat on the outcome of a tribunal against Mako Vunipola after he was sent off in the final minute of his side's 37-19 victory over Newcastle Falcons.

The experienced England tighthead saw red for a headshot off the final play at the StoneX Stadium to Falcons hooker Bryan Byrne, who was in the process of being tackled by Nick Isiekwe.

It took some of the shine of the result for Sarries, who returned to winning ways in the Gallagher Premiership after back-to-back defeats and remain fifth in the table.

McCall said: "On Mako's red card, we'll see because he was part of a double-tackle.

"He came in second, the primary tackler affected the body height of the ball carrier, so we'll see what the panel have to say in a couple of days' time.

"In terms of the performance, into a very strong wind I think we had 90 per cent of possession and territory in the first half and probably did a lot of good things to achieve that.

"Probably our attacking side in the opposition 22 wasn't exactly what we would have liked. At the same time, credit to Newcastle.

"To show the fight and the toughness and the resilience that they did and to defend their line was superb, I thought, given what has happened to them this season. We were dominating possession and we were dominating territory, we just had to be a bit better down their end."

Bottom side Newcastle led twice through Adam Radwan's breakaway try and three Rory Jennings penalties, but Saracens held a 22-16 advantage at half-time thanks to scores by Theo Dan, Ivan van Zyl and Juan Martin Gonzalez.

The hosts gained more control in the second half and a penalty try and Vunipola's effort, before his red, allowed them to close out the win.