Premiership Rugby LIVE: Saracens vs Northampton Saints semi-final score and latest updates
The Gallagher Premiership semi-final begins with Saracens versus Northampton Saints
(Getty Images)
Follow live coverage as Saracens host Northampton Saints in the first of Gallagher Premiership Semi-final playoffs today.
It’s crisis time at the end of a season largely overshadowed by bleak financial prospects as both Worcester and Wasps go into administration and London Irsh also grapple with business concerns.
Saracens finished top of the table with 74 points and just five games lost, while Northampton finished fourth with four wins fewer than their opponents. While there is ongoing debate about the future of rugby, the focus shifts to concluding the season as the Saracens play in their 14th Premiership semi-final and hope to do even better than their loss to Leicester last season.
We bring you all the action and updates from today’s game in the live blog below:
team news
The Saracens have strengthened their squad with six England internationals, including Owen Farrell in the starting line-up for the game.
Jamie George, Maro Itoje, Mako Vunipola, Ben Earl and Max Malins were the others who returned.
Having not played for his club since early April, George will be looking to make an impact, but Jackson Wray is hoping for a fitting farewell after deciding to hang up his boots at the end of the season.
Wray has made over 300 appearances for the Saracens and will make his final appearance alongside Duncan Taylor, who will depart at the end of the campaign after 12 years.
Sonia TwiggMay 13, 2023 2:10 p.m
Saracens vs Northampton Saints
Good day and welcome The Independents Coverage of the Premiership Rugby play-off semi-final between Saracens and Northampton Saints. The season was largely overshadowed by finances as Wasps and Worcester went into administration.
Saracens come into the game in incredible home form, unbeaten since January 2022 at StoneX Stadium. They’ve also beefed up their line-up, recalling six England internationals, including Owen Farrell, for the semi-finals. The Saracens have won the competition five times and will look to add to their impressive trophy cabinet with a first title since 2018/19.
Northampton Saints need to undo history having only won six semi-finals in league history away from home but it should be a fun competition and who will go ahead in the first leg?
We’ll be hearing about all the preparations, team news and updates throughout the afternoon, so stay with us.
Sonia TwiggMay 13, 2023 12:40 p.m
