Saracens turn on style in second half to sink Saints and seal home semi-final

Sometimes all a team needs is a good shock to the system and a stiff kick in the pants. Saracens claimed a bonus-point victory that underlined their Premiership title credentials and secured a home semi-final in their first season back in the top flight.

Their shock defeat to Toulon last week was followed by a wasteful opening 40 minutes here. Despite holding a two-man-advantage for eight minutes while bossing territory and possession they went into the break 9-10 down. What followed was a resounding reminder that this is an organisation that holds itself to a higher standard.

They exploded out of the tunnel and were in the lead through Nick Tompkins who started and completed a move one minute after the restart. Then Rotimi Segun burst through the middle and was halted five metres short. A swift recycle, a bullet pass from Farrell and a neat shovel from Alex Goode provided a walk-in for Alex Lewington. The game was made safe when Theo McFarland blocked Alex Mitchell’s kick and dotted down. Farrell’s conversion opened a 28-10 lead.

It was Farrell who registered the first points with a brace of penalties early in the contest. When Saracens next won a penalty they went to the corner and most inside the StoneX assumed their vaunted maul would secure a try.

But Northampton defended fanatically. Courtney Lawes and Api Ratuniyarawa were disruptive and chaotic. Even when their pack lost a combined 507lbs after Alex Coles and Lewis Ludlam were sin-binned within two minutes of each other, Northampton kept Saracens at arm’s length, though they were aided by sloppy play from the hosts.

Dan Biggar halved the gap before Tommy Freeman’s scything line against the grain saw him score a sucker-punch try. Farrell kicked another penalty