After defeating Saracens in the regular season, Northampton maintained their dominant performance and advanced to the Premiership Rugby final. After a close, nerve-wracking victory at Franklin’s Gardens where defending champion Saracens fought to the very end, Saints will travel to Twickenham to take on the victor of Bath vs. Sale in the second semi-final.
With a 22–20 victory over the defending champion Saracens, Northampton Saints secured their spot in the Rugby Premiership final.
At Cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens, Burger Odendaal scored a try for the home team, and Fin Smith kicked the final 17 points to advance them to the Twickenham main event.
For their first play-off match in nine years, Northampton was up 6-0 thanks to a goal from Elliot Daly, but they soon found themselves behind.
But Odendaal’s goal in the 19th minute gave the Saints the lead, and Smith’s right boot kept the scoreboard ticking over to 16–6 at the break.
The lead was reduced to three points for Saracens in the 56th minute when Owen Farrell used a deft sidestep to punt in behind the defenders and allow Alex Lewington to touch down in the corner.
Nevertheless, Smith’s punt gave Northampton a nine-point lead, and Lucio Cinti’s last-ditch try gave the defending champions some solace as their title was lost.Talking Point: The Saints are lucky three times in a row.
