Super Saracens regain title crown

SARACENS were crowned Aviva Premiership champions for a third time in four seasons after ending Exeter’s title reign at Twickenham.

First-half tries by Billy Vunipola and Chris Wyles sent Saracens on the way to a convincing victory as Chiefs’ hopes of claiming a second successive Premiership crown fizzled out.

Wyles added a second touchdown after 47 minutes and there was no way back for Exeter after that as Saracens collected Premiership silverware for a fourth time in their history.

Saracens fly-half Owen Farrell, who will captain England on their threeTest tour to South Africa next month, kicked two conversions before going off 15 minutes from time in some discomfort.

Exeter’s points came through an early Joe Simmonds penalty and a Gareth Steenson try that Steenson converted.

Saracens surrendered their European Champions Cup crown to eventual winners Leinster in the quarterfinals and captain Brad Barritt revealed that disappointment had strengthened his side’s resolve. He said: ‘It was an unbelievable effort from the boys. We spoke about the disappointment in Europe and using it as a galvanising effect for the rest of the season.

‘We don’t make it about the championships, it’s about the process. I have no doubt next season the boys will come back just as hungry.’