Sweet revenge for Saracens

Saracens progressed to the English Premiership final with a 29-24 win against Northampton at Franklin's Gardens.

It was sweet revenge for Sarries, who suffered a painful extra-time defeat to the Saints in last year's final.

Northampton finished top of this season's Premiership log with 16 wins and 76 points, with Saracens in fourth place, two wins and eight points behind. But that counted for little on Saturday.

Saracens scored an early converted try through David Strettle, before being reduced to 14 men when Billy Vunipola was yellow-carded. A minute later, and Northampton were awarded a penalty try.

Stephen Myler and Owen Farrell then both kicked two penalties to make it 13-13 at the break.

Myler kicked another penalty early in the second half before Jamie George was driven over for Saracens' second try. 

Farrell's third penalty gave the visitors a 23-16 lead, but Northampton hit back with a try from Tom Wood. The conversion went wide.

Farrell then slotted another two penalties, and while Myler responded with one of his own in the 79th minute, Saracens were able to hold on for the win.

Northampton – Tries: Penalty try, Tom Wood. Conversion: Stephen Myler. Penalties: Myler (4).
Saracens – Tries: David Strettle, Jamie George. Conversions: Owen Farrell (2). Penalties: Farrell (5).

Northampton – 15 Ahsee Tuala, 14 Ken Pisi, 13 George Pisi, 12 Luther Burrell, 11 Jamie Elliott, 10 Stephen Myler, 9 Lee Dickson, 8 Samu Manoa, 7 Calum Clark, 6 Tom Wood, 5 Christian Day, 4 Courtney Lawes, 3 Salesi Ma'afu, 2 Dylan Hartley (c), 1 Alex Corbisiero. Subs: 16 Mike Haywood, 17 Alex Waller, 18 Gareth Denman, 19 Sam Dickinson, 20 Jon Fisher, 21 Kahn Fotuali'i, 22 Tom Stephenson, 23 James Wilson.

Saracens – 15 Alex Goode, 14 Chris Wyles, 13 Duncan Taylor, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 David Strettle, 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Richard Wigglesworth, 8 Billy Vunipola, 7 Jacques Burger, 6 Maro Itoje, 5 George Kruis, 4 Al Hargreaves (c), 3 Petrus du Plessis, 2 Jamie George, 1 Mako Vunipola
Subs: 16 Schalk Brits, 17 Richard Barrington, 18 Juan Figallo, 19 Jim Hamilton, 20 Jackson Wray, 21 Neil de Kock, 22 Charlie Hodgson, 23 Chris Ashton.

Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images

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