OWEN FARRELL SIGNED off from his Saracens career with a 22-20 defeat by Northampton that extends Courtney Lawes’ own stay in English rugby for one last week.
Both former England captains depart for French clubs at the end of the season and for Farrell that was signalled by a hard-fought Gallagher Premiership play-off at Franklin’s Gardens that propels Saints into next Saturday’s final.
With defences ruling, it came down to the kickers to settle a gripping evening and up stepped Fin Smith for Northampton as he punished Saracens’ indiscipline and shaky scrum by landing five penalties.
The first of the weekend’s semi-finals lived up to expectations as the league leaders went toe to toe with the defending champions – and it was Northampton who had more in the locker.
They controlled the last half hour, aided by their dominant scrum, and deservedly secured their place in the Twickenham showpiece for the first time since their title-winning season of 2014.
Farrell’s aim of a triumphant finish to his last season at his only club before joining Racing 92 met a green and black wall, while the night also saw his long-time England team-mates Billy and Mako Vunipola say farewell to Saracens.
Farrell was only kicking off his left foot during the warm-up and confirmation that he was carrying a niggle came when Elliot Daly stepped up to take the first penalty and kick for touch.
Saracens deserved their early lead, outmuscling the hosts and showing greater threat in attack with Daly rifling over another three points to underline their superiority.
But in a flash Saints seized the lead, their own attack firing for the first time with short passes and solid carries driving them into the 22 where George Furbank pulled the trigger by sending centre Burger Odendaal over.
Furbank’s pass was delayed perfectly to suck in the midfield defence but Odendaal still had to show strength and pace to finish, although the South African was also helped by the line he had picked.
Smith landed three penalties as Northampton turned the screw and Saracens faced growing adversity with conspicuous knock-ons by Farrell and Daly inducing loud jeers from the crowd.
Crucially, Saints were accumulating points with their visits to opposition 22 even though they had lost the first-half penalty count 9-6.
Saracens’ scrum was coming under pressure while in the backs Smith and Furbank were growing in influence for Northampton – until Farrell struck in the 54th minute.
The champions’ most impressive spell of attack reached its moment of truth when they probed down the left with Farrell producing a superb grubber that was skilfully collected and touched down by Alex Lewington.
The tension was mounting as Smith missed a penalty and Alex Mitchell was denied by a try-saving tackle by flaker Juan Martin Gonzalez, who somehow chased down the England scrum-half.
Smith was on target in the 60th minute to give Northampton a 19-13 lead and they were beginning to camp in the Saracens half with their scrum a powerful weapon that kept forcing penalties.
Over went another kick by Smith but Lucio Cinti ran in a late corner in the left corner, sending ripples of panic through Franklin’s Gardens until the final whistle blew.
United played very well in patches tonight against a stale looking Leicester team. Eriksen is pure class and brings a bit of intelligence and composure to the side. Very early days yet, but progress all the same.
Solid performance, but that was pure crap going forward. Far too passive and almost cocky in attack. Against a rubbish Leicester side who would have been put away by City / Liverpool. Praying Antony lives some bit up to the 100m coz Elanga Rashford Ronaldo nowhere near consistent enough. Highlight of the match was Dalot celebrating the block on Harvey Barnes.. cringey.. but just glad to see any bit of passion in defence these days. 3 wins on the trot we’ll take it. Big improvement needed on Sunday. PS. can see Rodgers at Villa soon!
@Johnny Mads: pretty much
@Johnny Mads: Hats off to ten hag to drop Maguire Johnny. The only way is up. As for yer Rogers quip that’s actually funny and not funny at the same time.
@Johnny Mads: very scrappy at times and alot of work to do, actually thought Ronaldo was lively when he came on, was unlucky with the bicycle kick also, 3 points and a clean sheet
@Pauly Kel: Ronaldo always a danger, just feel he holds back on his forward passed a second too long. Can’t help but feel he’s thinking 2 or 3 steps ahead on how he can give the ball to player best positioned to set him up at the end. Pure paranoia on my behalf but that’s how i always see it ! Sometimes kills the attack. But we sure will take 3 points and move on and keep building.
@Paul Gorry: When i saw him dropped before the pool game i got excited. Felt like a relief to finally move on and take a chance at least. So far paying off. As for Rodgers.. put your house on it ;)
@Johnny Mads: thought Dalot was very good again. Think it’s a bit harsh to lump ronnie in with rashford and elanga, he was on for 20 mins and looked far more threatening than both. If he shot rather than crossed to Eriksen near the end I’m convinced it would have been 2. Jenas saying rashford was on for his work rate was hilarious, did absolutely nowt besides his assist. Surely not a starter for much longer. Mctominay was fairly reckless aswell at times, dragging down maddison on the edge of the box. Surely time to give Fred and Casemiro a run!
@Johnny Mads: probably like the majority of utd fans to be fair. As for Rodgers i don’t have a house lol
@Paul Gorry: rodgers has 102 by all accounts.
@A$AP Ragnick: Dalot gaining confidence off the new system. Glad to see him earn his place ahead of AWB who i cant stand! Prob harsh on Ronnie but jury still out on him for me at moment. We could really do with him hitting form now at the right time so here’s hoping! Ya I think Fred & Casemiro will be the partnership once Casemiro settles. Big test Sunday now gunners on fire.
@Paul Gorry: lol
Leicester reward has beens like Vardy and Evans with new contracts when they should be replaced. The spine of that team needs surgery. New keeper, centre backs, holding midfielder, two strikers. Only six minutes left Brendan. Hurry up !!
Being cautiously optimistic about this upswing in form, this is a side that may give a good run for 4th but ultimately settle for 5th (please anything but 6th again). Arsenal Is the real test if we can topple them then maybe 4th is an actual possibility given that Chelsea seem to be cracking
The big test for this current Utd squad is when they come up against the top teams! Let’s see what happens on Sunday.
@john fairclough: what like Lvpl
@john fairclough: Did they not already beat Liverpool?
@HarveyLemonade: I agree. It will be as equally as big a test for arsenal. They have been impressive but have had a fairly handy first few games.
Pretty irrelevant…. however, United have recorded 3 straight Premier League wins in August/September 2021 and in December 2021.
It’s progress but Ten Haag seems far to cautious when in lead. He brings off pacey attackers for slower defensive players. Happened in last 3 games. Could have easily cost Utd points in each game. This isn’t the Dutch league where teams will accept a 1 0 loss.
@Shane Obrien: I think he’s just getting Casemiro a few minutes here and there for a possible start on Sunday.
@Shane Obrien: think its more of a natural response to united’s tendency to retreat when they get into a lead, i don’t think he is encouraging it or anything. They would have drawn/lost games like this and the Southampton one last year. Hopefully show more of a killer instinct in the upcoming games.