Joel Tomkins scored twice on his debut as Saracens thumped Worcester Warriors 41-14 at Vicarage Road in the LV= Cup.

The hosts got off to a slow start as tries from Sam Betty and Tom Arscott gave the Warriors the early advantage. But Peter Stringer replied with a try which brought them within a point at half-time.

Justin Melck grabbed Saracens’ second try after the restart and this was quickly followed by an interception score from Tomkins. The former Wigan star scored again shortly afterwards to clinch the bonus-point and keep their faint hopes of a semi-final spot alive.

The Men in Black made a host of changes to the side which won in Treviso last weekend. Tomkins was handed his long awaited first appearance following his arrival from rugby league. He partnered Adam Powell while Michael Tagicakibau made his first start of the season.

With Owen Farrell and Charlie Hodgson away on international duty, Nils Mordt was picked at fly-half while Kameli Ratuvou earned a rare opportunity in the backline. John Smit switched to prop with hooker Jamie George captaining the side.

The visitors missed an early chance to take the lead when Joe Carlisle’s penalty rebounded off the post.

But Worcester scored inside the opening five minutes when flanker Betty crossed the line. Carlisle added the conversion to give the Warriors a 7-0 lead.

The Men in Black got off the mark after ten minutes when Nils Mordt kicked over a penalty in front of the posts. Mordt quickly added another three points to reduce the visitors' lead.

The Warriors claimed their second try midway through the half when winger Arscott turned over the ball and ran on to his own kick to score. Carlisle’s conversion gave Worcester a 14-6 lead.

The Premiership champions scored their first try after 27 minutes when Stringer picked up the ball from close range and dived over the line. Mordt’s conversion brought the hosts within a point of the Warriors.

The Men in Black were awarded a penalty 16 minutes into the second half but Mordt's effort went wide of the target.

Saracens took the lead for the first time in the match midway through the second period. Forward Melck’s persistence paid off as he fended off an opponent to ground the ball. Mordt’s conversion gave the hosts a six-point cushion.

The hosts eased further clear just a couple of minutes later when a loose pass was intercepted by debutant Tomkins and he raced clear for the third try. Mordt added the extras to give Sarries a commanding lead.

It did not take long for the Men in Black to seal the bonus-point with the fourth try. Jackson Wray offloaded to Tomkins and the former Wigan star powered over for his second of the match. Mordt kicked over a superb effort from the touchline to give the hosts a 20-point lead.

The Men in Black rounded off a convincing second-half display as replacement Hugh Vyvyan scored their fifth try. Mordt's conversion made it 41-14 and rounded off a rewarding afternoon for the Premiership champions.

Saracens: Taylor, Ratuvou (Ransom 58), Tomkins, Powell, Tagicakibau, Mordt, Stringer (Baldwin, 58); Smit (Auterac, 54), George, du Plessis, Kruis, Sheriff (Vyvyan, 54), Melck, Fraser (Spurling, 58), Wray

Worcester Warriors: Pennell, Arscott, Fatiaki, Carlisle, Drauniniu, Gray, Arr; Douglas, Fortey (Lutui, 51), Tomaszczyk (Porter, 53), Gulliver, Gillies, Betty, Muagututia (Kvesic, 51), Cowan

Scoring: 0-5, 0-7, 3-7, 6-7, 6-12, 6-14, 11-14, 13-14, 18-14, 20-14, 25-14, 27-14, 32-14, 34-14, 39-14, 41-14

Referee: Ian Tempest

Attendance: 4,970