Saracens vs Sale Sharks LIVE: Result and reaction from Premiership Rugby final after protesters disrupt game
Saracens 35-25 Sale Sharks: Saracens win their sixth Premiership Rugby title as Sale fail to end a 17-year wait for the trophy
Saracens defied a spirited Sale Sharks, a mini injury crisis and climate activists to clinch the Gallagher Premiership title for a sixth time at Twickenham.
A 35-25 victory over the Sharks made amends for last season’s last-gasp defeat by Leicester at the same stage and delivers their first silverware since being relegated for salary cap breaches in 2020.
Two Just Stop Oil protestors brought a halt to the game in the first half when they ran on to the pitch, letting off orange smoke bombs before being led away by stewards amid jeers from the crowd. Both were arrested and while orange patches were still evident on the pitch at the final whistle, the interruption failed to take the shine off an enthralling climax to the season.
Saracens threatened to pull clear before and after half-time but Sale stayed in the fight and then pounced in a dominant third quarter that saw tries by Tom Roebuck and Bevan Rodd seize the lead. But drawing on all the experience accumulated during 13 years of Premiership and European finals, Saracens showed their resolve to hit back through Elliot Daly and Ivan van Zyl.
Relive the action from the Premiership Rugby final as Saracens beat Sale:
Saracens 13-6 Sale, 29 mins
Sale set up camp in the Sarries 22. A number of carries bring them within a metre or two. They’re trying to power the ball over the line
WATCH - Saracens awarded penalty try
Here’s how Sarries were awarded a penalty try. Clear foul play form Curry tackling Malins off the ball
Saracens 13-6 Sale, 27 mins
A scrum on halfway, with Sale having the put-in and after a couple of resets, Sharks again get the call. They’re undoubtedly on top in the scrums. A worry for Saracens
MISSED PENALTY! Saracens 13-6 SALE, 24 mins
Good response from Sale and they win a penalty in the Sarries half. For the first time, George Ford errs though as his kick slides wide of the right post. A missed opportunity while temporarily down to 14.
TRY! SARACENS 13-6 Sale (Penalty try, 21 mins)
Sarries score immediately after the resumption!
A gorgeous kick down the line from Goode with Malins in hot pursuit. It causes problems in the Sale backfield, not gathered, the ball spilled over the try-line and Curry holds back Malins to stop him diving on the loose ball.
It’s a penalty try immediately signalled by referee Luke Pearce and seven points to Sarries. Curry also sent to the sin-bin for 10 minutes.
Saracens 6-6 Sale, 20 mins - Just Stop Oil protesters run on to the pitch
Oh no! You don’t want to see this. Protesters run on to the field with the orange paint powder we saw at the World Snooker Championship and start throwing it about. Heavy boos from the crowd.
The game is stopped as security have to remove them. It looked like Tom Curry helped take one of the protesters out as well.
Fair to say, a paint powder protest is less effective outside as opposed to inside the Crucible Theatre on a snooker table at the World Champs...
Saracens 6-6 Sale, 19 mins
Dominant tackle by Mawi in the 22 as Sale look to set up for the clearance kick but Ben Earl caught offside. Slightly sloppy as it allows Sharks to earn the lineout on halfway.
Sarries respond to steal the lineout though and then Maitland brilliantly beats the Sharks to an up-and-under! He’s slow to get up but Sarries ball in the Sale half.
PENALTY! Saracens 6-6 SALE (Ford penalty, 17 mins)
Relatively central, a bit further out than the last one but well within George Ford’s range. Yep, he bisects the uprights.
Saracens 6-3 Sale, 17 mins
One penalty apiece from the scrums so far but Sale make it 2-1! Great Sharks scrum as they win a penalty against the head. Marco Riccioni pinged for angling with his drive. Second time the Italian international has been penalised
Another shot at the posts for Sale to level things up once more.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments