This was a seven-try frolic in the sun for Saracens, last year’s Heineken Cup semi-finalists who, this season, have had to be content merely to be one of the favourites for the European Challenge Cup. They are taking the competition extremely seriously, however, as yesterday’s team selection made clear. Eddie Jones, the Saracens director of rugby, praised “a very methodical and disciplined” performance.

Mont de Marsan may be bottom of the Top 14 in France, and were largely outclassed at Vicarage Road, but they never stopped trying to play open rugby and it was good to see Trevor Leota, the former London Wasps favourite, making a few trademark rumbles in the 51 minutes he was allowed.

“It is not really how you play in these sort of matches, but the habits you create — and by that I mean good habits,” Jones said. “We want to win this group, get a home quarter-final and then try to win the cup from there.”

Andy Farrell made a solid comeback in the centre, after a thumb injury, but Steve Borthwick’s 29th birthday was more a showcase for two of the team’s lesser lights. Andy Saull, the open-side flanker, showed a good turn of speed after accepting Kameli Ratuvou’s pass and sprinting 30 metres for the fifth try, while Chris Wyles, at full back, was not only brave and reliable under the high ball, but also showed genuine pace.

Wyles, 24, is on secondment from USA Rugby for the season and looks an excellent acquisition. He also scored a fine opportunist try, 49 seconds into the second half, after charging down a clearance kick.

Saracens’ first try, a move started and finished by Noah Cato after a sweeping attack, set the tone for an enjoyable match.

Scorers: Saracens: Tries: Cato (5min), De Kock (26), Penalty 2 (39, 74)), Wyles (41), Saull (49), Skirving (59). Conversions: Jackson 5, Ross. Penalty goals: Jackson 2 (9, 18). Mont de Marsan: Penalty goal: Urrutuy (7).

Scoring sequence (Saracens first): 5-0, 5-3, 8-3, 11-3, 18-3, 25-3 (half-time), 32-3, 39-3, 46-3, 53-3.

Saracens: C Wyles; N Cato, K Sorrell (rep: F Leonelli, 60), A Farrell, K Ratuvou; G Jackson (rep: G Ross, 60), N De Kock (rep: M Rauluni, 60); M Aguero, F Ongaro (rep: M Cairns, 55), C Johnston (rep: C Visagie, 60), S Borthwick (rep: K Chesney, 53), H Vyvyan, C Jack, A Saull (rep: B Skirving, 53), M Owen.

Mont de Marsan: K Abad; J-B Dubie, S Ternisien, M Taele, F Urrutuy (rep: Y Brethous, 51); N Leroux (rep: B Chedal, 75), F Tandonnet; P Blanco (rep: N Etcheverry, 53), T Leota (rep: C Blanchard, 51), B Coutts (rep: G Leleu 51, sin-bin 64-74), J Mynhardt (rep: R Berek, 57), F Rawls, R Bernard (sin-bin, 37-45), P van Schalkwik, J Carre (rep: B Coutts 66-74; rep: F Marechal, 75).

Referee: T Hayes (Wales).

Attendance: 5,893.