Saracens savour redemption day

THE empire has struck back. The old order is restored. Saracens got their hands on the Premiership trophy for the first time since 2019, completing their redemption story with a nerveless 35-25 win over Sale.

They won this one fair and square. No looming clouds of the salary cap, just the glare of the blistering Twickenham sunshine. They fought to the point of exhaustion in the 22c heat, before cooling down under the spray of ice-cool champagne.

At the end of a season that everyone associated with English rugby will want to forget, this was a final worth remembering. Both teams went blow for blow, the lead swapping hands more than once.

The match was disrupted in the first half by two Just Stop Oil protesters who went onto the pitch branding orange flares. The delay was only swift and Saracens secured a 20-13 lead at the break, with the boot of Owen Farrell proving key and a penalty try and score from Max Malins.

Akker van der Merwe got on the scoresheet for Sale and the boot of George Ford was just as reliable as fellow Englishman Farrell.

Sale fought back in the second. Attacking from a successful box kick, Van der Merwe cut through the defence and shinned a chip kick into the red zone. With a lucky bounce, Tom Roebuck tip-toed down the touchline to score in the smallest of spaces.

Raffi Quirke sped up the tempo and Manu Tuilagi charged forwards before Bevan Rodd stepped in to whip the ball wide and the prop ran a support line, crafting a superb try to give Sale the lead.

Rookie full-back Joe Carpenter came unstuck when Duncan Taylor charged down his kick. Saracens counter-rucked and moments later, Nick Isiekwe found Elliot Daly to put his side back in front.

Malins then stamped his authority on the match once more, ghosting across the pitch looking for support. Ivan van Zyl initially looked like he was held up by Carpenter after replays, the try was awarded to put Saracens two scores ahead.

Meanwhile, Munster savoured their first major trophy for 12 years by landing the United Rugby Championship title with a 19-14 win over the Stormers in Cape Town.

Flanker John Hodnett’s late try — converted from the touchline by Jack Crowley — denied the Stormers back-to-back URC crowns.

Flanker Deon Fourie’s try early in the second half, converted by Manie Libbok, looked to have swayed the march Stormers’ way before Hodnett pounced.

Fly-half Libbok scored an interception try he also converted but Munster led by five points at the break following touchdowns from hooker Diarmuid Barron and wing Calvin Nash while Jack Crowley added one conversion.