For all their greater intent with ball in hand – they nearly scored a try after two minutes from a move that started behind their own line – their seventh final in 10 years owed much to their renowned defence.
Northampton arrived as the leading try scorers in the Premiership this season and had run in 11 in their two meetings with Sarries, but they were knocked back behind the gainline time and again in the opening half as Saracens assembled an 18-point interval lead that was sufficient to allow them to withstand a comeback after the Saints received a dressing room dressing down.
Ben Earl led the way with 22 tackles as Saracens tackled upright ball carriers low and swarmed all over the breakdown, forcing turnovers and penalties. Northampton lost their cohesion, players found themselves isolated and, finding no refuge up front, were dragged below the surface.
It may have been different had Sean Maitland been shown a card after 25 seconds. The Saracens wing clattered into George Furbank as Northampton’s full-back steadied himself to claim a box-kick.
There was head contact but referee Karl Dickson ruled it to be an early challenge and awarded a penalty, although earlier in the season it would very probably have merited a card because he was never in a position to win the ball and Furbank needed lengthy treatment.
Bu hikaye The Rugby Paper dergisinin May 14, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Rugby Paper dergisinin May 14, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
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.
