Saracens 35-25 Sale: Sarries clinch sixth Premiership title with late tries from Daly and Van Zyl
The Empire has struck back. Saracens have lifted their hands on the Premiership trophy for the first time since 2019, completing their redemption story with a nerve-wracking victory over Sale.
They won this one fair and square. No menacing clouds from the salary cap, just the glare of the blistering Twickenham sun. They fought to the point of exhaustion in the 22C heat before cooling off under the spray of icy champagne.
At the end of a season that anyone associated with English rugby will want to forget, this was a final worth remembering. Both teams went battle for battle, the lead switching hands as Manu Tuilagi almost forced his way through a huge northern upset.
It was billed as the fight between George Ford and Owen Farrell. The schoolboy friends who grew up throwing a ball in their cul-de-sac in Harpenden. Best friends became best enemies. Their faces splashed across the cover of the game schedule and within six minutes they each had three points.
The clashes were huge, with two sides proud of their power. Jamie George struggled to get back on his feet after a collision with Tom Curry. Knocked out, his day was over before he had time to find his groove. He tore off his headband and was replaced by Theo Dann, the rookie hooker who turned in a performance worthy of World Cup bolter status.
Saracen clinched their sixth Premiership title with a thrilling win on Saturday
Owen Farrell kicked three penalties and two conversions as Saracens beat Sale
Malins landed after Farrell pulled an attempted big hit from Tuilagi
Sale found an early advantage at the scrum, but Saracens had the advantage in almost every other area. Farrell set the tone in offense and defense, asserting his control and displaying his temper throughout the big game. He ripped the ball out of the hold on Tuilagi, allowing Max Malins to blast the ball away with a 50-22. Moments later, the No. 10 kicked his side forward again.
With a slick supply from Ivan van Zyl, the Saracens found space wide. Their veteran wingers took on Sale’s back three and came out on top. Malins is leaving for Bristol this summer and he signed off in style.
After Ford tied the scores, Alex Goode sent down a kick on the right wing that caused chaos in the backfield. Gus Warr and Joe Carpenter failed to meet and Curry illegally took out Malins as he went to land. Penalty attempt and yellow card.
Still, the Saracens struggled to capitalize on their numerical advantage. Ford missed a penalty, but moments later converted an attempt by Akker van der Merwe b to level the scores.
When Elliot Daly replaced Sean Maitland off the bench, he beautifully combined Farrell to take control of the territory, with some massive kicks. Goode used his footwork to keep the ball alive, Farrell lured Tuilagi in to create a gap and Malins worked his way through to give his side a seven-point lead going into half time.
There was a feeling in the ground that Saracens should have gone farther ahead, and it almost came back to chase them. Sales fought back. Offensively from a successful boxing kick, Van der Merwe sliced through the defense and shone a chip kick into the red zone. With a lucky bounce, Tom Rorbuck tiptoed down the sideline to score in the tightest of spaces.
Alex Sanderson’s decision to pull off his dominant frontrow raised eyebrows, but it almost turned out to be a masterstroke. After Daly’s attempt was disallowed for foot contact, Farrell kicked three points, but Sale’s super paid off.
Raffi Quirke picked up the pace and Tuilagi charged forward to leave Nick Tompkins cold-blooded. Rodd stepped in to whip the ball wide and the prop ran a support line, giving a final worthy try to put Sale ahead on 52 minutes.
Daly missed a penalty at the midway point and Sale went for the jugular, ramping up the physicality, while Jean Luc du Preez sent Maro Itoje back.
Sale forward Akker van der Merwe made a close cross in the first half at Twickenham
The sale went over again when Bevan Rodd appeared on the scrum half to pounce from close range
A defensive error by Elliot Daly allowed Tom Roebuck to corner for the Sharks
For Sale, this was a first appearance in the final since 2006. Saracens, on the other hand, know the big stage and their experience showed in the last quarter.
After starting the season in National One, rookie fullback Carpenter came loose when Duncan Taylor knocked down his free kick. Saracenen countered and moments later Nick Isiekwe got a simple pass for Daly to put his team ahead again.
Malins once again put his stamp on the game, cutting a sharp line to haunt the pitch in search of support. Van Zyl initially looked like he was being held up by Carpenter after big screen replays, the try was awarded to give Saracens a two-score lead.
There was no turning back, even when Ian Hislop finished the match in the sin box. For Saracens, the comeback was really complete.