Saracens defeated Gloucester 44-19 and the Exeter Chiefs beat Northampton Saints 42-12 in the semi-finals of the English Premiership on Saturday.
Saracens and Exeter are now the competition finalists for a second consecutive season, while it will also be the Chiefs’ fourth appearance in the final in a row.
In the first semi-final, Saracens – featuring Brad Barritt, Vincent Koch and Michael Rhodes – scored six tries to roll over Johan Ackermann’s Gloucester at Allianz Park.
The hosts led 23-7 at the break thanks to tries from backs Liam Williams, Sean Maitland and Ben Spencer before Nick Tompkins completed a second half hat-trick to wrap up the win. Prop Ruan Dreyer had burrowed over for one of Gloucester’s three tries, but his effort was in vain.
? Reaction | Centre @alexlozowski10 summarises a dominant semi-final as Sarries book their spot at Twickenham! ?
? “We know there’s more to come & hopefully we see that next week” ?#TogetherSaracens #SARvGLO pic.twitter.com/zuE3ehMRCV
— Saracens Rugby Club (@Saracens) May 25, 2019
Exeter were equally dominant in the second semi-final against a lacklustre Northampton side. After a tight first half, Chiefs held a slender 14-12 lead, but a strong second-half showing saw them take control of the game and ultimately the result.
Flyhalf Joe Simmonds starred for Exeter with a try and six conversions for a personal 17-point haul.
FULL TIME: @ExeterChiefs 42 @SaintsRugby 12 pic.twitter.com/Dz8APCwxZE
— Exeter Chiefs (@ExeterChiefs) May 25, 2019
Photo: @Saracens/Twitter
