Old meets the new in Premiership final as Saracens take on Sale
The foundations of Alex Sanderson’s side are pure Old Saracens – but expect the present to prevail over the past
It is a fascinating final. Saracens, top of the table, against Sale Sharks, second-best by a wide margin. England’s best teams meet at Twickenham — but more than that, this is a clash between Evolving Saracens and Old Saracens.
Mark McCall was voted the Premiership’s director of rugby of the season. The Saracens boss has presided over the most radical change in any English club’s playing style. The excessive territorial obsession has been replaced with a subtle passing game, based around precision passing and adroit running lines. It has led to the liberation of Owen Farrell at club level.
In the wake of the 38-15 play-off victory against Northampton Saints last Saturday, Farrell pointed out that England’s dominant force of the past decade have always