This was semi-final for the ages, raucous, edgy but without violent excess, immensely physical, occasionally error prone but mostly highly skilled
Confronted by an aggressive well drilled Saracens defence - shades of Paul Gustard's old wolf pack defence-Saints silky attack which had yielded 145 tries in all rugby this season was shackled for large periods of the game but impressively found another way to win this high pressure contest.
Seven times they forced a penalty at scrum time which either gave Fin Smith the opportunity to kick for goal or to punt for valuable field position. In tight games such statistics matter while they also prospered at the breakdown and it was also an evening for getting the basics right. With Courtney Lawes dominating the restarts and Tommy Freeman excellent under the highball Saints has most areas covered
Ultimatley the less experienced Saints pack covered themselves in glory and, in front of Steve Borthwick, Curtis Langdon, Alex Coles and Tom Pearson will have done their England prospects no harm. Test rugby is much more like this thunderous fare than the all singing all dancing rugby Saints can produce against lesser opponents.
There was also the poignancy as the game drew to a close of a handful of departing Sarries legends Owen Farrell, the Vunipola brothers and the prolific Alex Lewington going down with all guns blazing while their new generation, led by young Pumas Juan Martin Gonzalez and Lucio Cinti hinted at another dynasty just around the corner.
Denne historien er fra June 02, 2024-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra June 02, 2024-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
England show who's No.1
ENGLAND women’s head coach John Mitchell says his side will take valuable lessons from the 24-12 win over world champions New Zealand as they build towards their WXV1 title defence.
Skivington: We're going to roll dice and go for it
THE Cherry and Whites are the enigmas of the Premiership.
Looking to go one step beyond this time around
NE small step is what it will take for Bath to go one better than last season and secure the Premiership for the first time, but it would be one of the biggest taken by the club in the professional era.
Four-try England make it 17 wins on the spin
ENGLAND women opened the Allianz Stadium era at HQ with a victory over New Zealand to make it 17 wins on the bounce before their WXV title defence.
Time for Borthwick to prove his worth
HONEYMOON periods are not set in stone and in my estimation Steve Borthwick’s ends this summer. Don’t get me wrong, he’s still in good shape.
Barrington ready to power up the Mob
RICHARD Barrington has signed up to the Ampthill “Mob” reassured that he’ll still have a target on his back most weeks.
Skivington keen to build identity
GLOUCESTER won their first trophy for nine years last season and reached the Challenge Cup final, but when George Skivington went on holiday the day after the campaign ended the words in his head were never again.
Roebuck targets England success
WINNING a maiden England Test cap to top the best season of his career will not be enough for Sale winger Tom Roebuck.
Booth: Tough telling players I was leaving
TOBY Booth admits telling his Ospreys players that he would be leaving at the end of the season was one of the hardest things he has had to do in his career.
Stephens' debut try sees off old rivals
DORKING had to dig deep in another tight game between two old rivals, with the lead changing hands twice and result in doubt right up to the final whistle.