All Black Scott Hamilton scored Tigers’ only try of the half, his ninth of the season, after nine minutes.
Tigers overturned a Saracens scrum before putting together a series of phases which culminated in All Black Hamilton picking the ball up at the base of a ruck and going himself to score on the right.
It provided a quick response after Tigers went behind to Francisco Leonelli’s third-minute try. The Saracens centre profited from a lucky bounce and quick offload by Hugh Vyvyan after the ball had been thrown long at a five-metre line-out.
Glen Jackson added the conversion and a penalty for Saracens while Tigers fly-half Sam Vesty was on the mark with a penalty two minutes before the break.
Tigers had been forced into a late change at scrum-half after Julien Dupuy withdrew through injury. Harry Ellis stepped up from the bench with Ben Youngs coming into the replacements.
Back-row duo Craig Newby and Jordan Crane returned to the starting XV, while Tom Croft moved into the second row and Johne Murphy came in on the wing. Benjamin Kayser was named among the replacements after recovering from a neck injury.
Saracens lock Kris Chesney made his 338th club appearance and his last at Vicarage Road. Hugh Vyvyan, Justin Melck and Tom Mercey joined him in the Saracens pack.
