Thrilling title race goes to final day
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The race for the top four will go down to the final round on Saturday, although Northampton and Saracens secured their berths with big victories yesterday.
The Saints secured a home draw with a 90-point demolition of Gloucester at Franklin’s Gardens – the biggest victory in the Premierships this century – and Saracens will be at the StoneX for their semi-final if they secure a point at home to Sale, who are in fourth, after ending Bristol’s winning run.
Bath need a point from their clash against Northampton at The Rec and the Saints may be tempted to ring the changes knowing that they will be in the top two whatever the result.
They may end up facing Bath in the first of the semi-finals on Friday May 31, but the final play-off position remains in the air with Sale, Exeter, Harlequins and Bristol all in contention.
Sale have never won at the StoneX and have only triumphed once at Saracens in the Premiership, back in 2005 in the season they won the title.
Exeter are best placed to take advantage of any Sale slip-up. They are at Leicester, who cannot finish higher than eighth after losing their last three matches, a ground where they conceded 62 points last season.
Exeter DoR Rob Baxter said: “Leicester are a good side, they have got a lot of pride. We have to take every opportunity we can and see if we can get to the play-offs.
Quins and Bristol, who are sixth and seventh in the table, meet at The Stoop but even a bonus point victory may not be enough.
“The fourth try we scored at the end could be crucial, but the second half performance was not acceptable in a Quins jersey,” said their head coach Danny Wilson after his side collapsed at Exeter having been level at the interval.
Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall said that his side’s impressive home record against Sale would count for nothing on Saturday when last season’s finalists meet.
“I watched them beat Leicester on Friday night and it will be one hell of a challenge for us,” he said.
Sale boss Alex Sanderson announced he had signed a new contract to remain at the AJ Bell for another three years having joined from Saracens in 2021. “Our dream is still alive,” he said. “It comes down to Saracens on the final day and there is no way we will come off that pitch without having fired a few shots.
“We have gathered some momentum now and you would be stupid to bet against us. We know it will take a monumental effort at Saracens but we believe we can win.”
