Saracens’ sunkissed win over Sale tempered by crisis at London Irish

E ven in Saracens’ moment of triumph on Saturday their director of rugby, Mark McCall, admitted to mixed feelings. A first Premiership title since the salary cap saga that sent his club spiralling into the Championship ranked among his most satisfying achievements but this week could also bring a gloomy postscript if his old team London Irish become the third financially stricken club to be suspended from the league.

McCall is the smartest of operators and one whose determination to drive Sarries back to the top of the domestic game never left him, even in their darkest hours. He is also among those, however, keenly aware of the reputational damage done to the league when established names such as Wasps, Worcester and now, potentially, Irish disappear in a puff of debt-heavy smoke. “It’s hard to be jubilant when these things are happening,” the Ulsterman said. “I love London Irish and it would be awful if that happens.”

The sun-bathed final on Saturday duly delivered a perfect snapshot of the Jekyll and Hyde character of the current English club game. On the pitch the action was constantly absorbing and, from Saracens’ perspective, ultimately memorable. Off it the smallest final crowd (except for Covid-affected seasons) since 2007 reflected the wider perception issues (and flawed ticket pricing) that endure. “It’s a shame because it feels like the on-field product is good,” McCall said. “Hopefully we can get it right off the field.”

By the time of the Rugby World Cup this autumn it must also be hoped greater consistency exists around television match official interventions, with Saracens’ 71st-minute match-clinching try by the scrum‑half Ivan van Zyl awarded despite a lack of conclusive video evidence, and the initial