CHRIS FOY: A Premiership win for Saracens offers perfect redemption

Leicester won the league and they really deserve a trophy for that, but now the Tigers' Premiership title decider against Saracens promises to be an enthralling redemption tale.

This column remains in favour of due recognition for the club finishing top of the table after a season of consistency, but that old-school notion is gone – never to return. 

At least what awaits in the final at Twickenham this year is a fitting clash between the strongest two teams in English rugby, who are both seeking to round off a revival mission in the ultimate fashion.

Saracens' resurgence has been astonishing to behold, but no shock at all to anyone with the faintest grasp of their fierce spirit of unity and defiance. 

They were relegated as punishment for past salary cap offences but the way they committed to their exile in the Championship was a credit to them and the immediate bounce-back was inevitable.

If Mark McCall's decorated team complete their quest on Saturday, it must go down as their finest hour, in the circumstances. It would be a triumph of loyalty and a deep desire to right past wrongs. 

Crucially, the squad did not scatter when their punishment came; the elite core remained en masse, served their time with good grace and returned to the top flight with renewed purpose.

Asked if he ever doubted they would reach these heights again, England lock Maro Itoje said: 'No; that was never in my mind. Regardless of that situation, I knew the quality of personnel we had. I didn't know when, but I had no doubt in my mind that eventually we'd be back. This is a special club and, as players, we just want to give back.'

In a different way, Leicester's climb from the depths has been remarkable too. 

If Saracens hadn't been docked a total