The 20-year-old, playing his first game since his call up to Stuart Lancaster’s 30-man squad for next month’s RBS 6 Nations, kicked five penalties in his side’s victory over the Top 14 outfit.

A try from young scrum-half Ben Spencer in addition to Farrell’s five penalties was enough to put Mark McCall’s troops on the brink on qualifying from Pool Five.

France scrum-half Dmitri Yachvili was the main threat for the Basque club as he notched all 16 of their points with a converted try of his own and three penalties.

But it was Farrell who stood out for Sarries alongside fellow England call-ups Charlie Hodgson, Brad Barritt and David Strettle in what could well be a preview of Lancaster’s Red Rose back line.

And McCall admitted afterwards that his side had been forced to grit it out at times before holding on for a narrow victory.

“We are pleased to have won the game - these kind of games are about getting the job done,” said McCall, whose side now only need a losing bonus point away against Treviso next weekend to confirm their passage into the knock out stage.

“There is a little frustration it wasn't more simple than it turned out. There were times in the first half and the start of the second where we were very dominant and at 14-6 we had an opportunity to pull away and break them.

“We couldn't do that but the last 20 minutes characterised everything we are about as a club with the work ethic and discipline.”

In Sunday’s other clash Leinster remained on top of Pool Three as Ireland internationals Rob Kearney and Isaac Boss both touched down in a 23-16 win over Glasgow.

New Scotland call-up Duncan Weir kicked 11 points for the Warriors to stake a claim for a starting berth when the Six Nations get underway but the reigning European champions proved too strong in the end.