Redemption for Sarries is within reach
LEICESTER won the league and they really deserve a trophy for that but now the Tigers’ Premiership title decider against Saracens promises to be an enthralling redemption tale.
This column remains in favour of due recognition for the club finishing top of the table but that oldschool notion is gone and never to return.
At least what awaits in the final at Twickenham this year is a fitting clash between the strongest two teams in english rugby, who are both seeking to round off a revival mission.
Saracens’ resurgence has been astonishing but no shock at all to anyone with the faintest grasp of their fierce spirit of unity and defiance.
They were relegated as punishment for past salary cap offences but the way they committed to their exile in the Championship was a credit to them and the immediate bounce- back was inevitable.
if Mark McCall’s decorated team complete their quest on Saturday, it must go down as their finest hour.
it would be a triumph of loyalty and a deep desire to right past wrongs. Crucially, the squad did not scatter when their punishment came.
The elite core remained, served their time with good grace and returned to the top flight with renewed purpose.
Asked if he ever doubted they would reach these heights again, england lock Maro itoje said: ‘No, that was never in my mind. Regardless of that situation, i knew the quality of personnel we had. i didn’t know when, but i had no doubt in my mind that eventually we’d be back. This is a special club and, as players, we just want to give back.’
in a different way, leicester’s climb from the depths has been remarkable too. if Saracens had not been docked a total of 105 league points in 2020, it would have been the Tigers who went down to the Championship that year.
The Tigers were in a state of disarray when Steve Borthwick took charge but he has turned them around faster than they could have dared hope. it will feel as if a certain natural order has been restored to see them and their vast support at Twickenham again.
Having inspired Saturday’s win over rivals Northampton, George Ford reflected on how far leicester have come, saying: ‘Two years ago, we were a million miles away. That was the reality.
‘it’s nothing secret or magical, it has been a lot of hard work, a clear way of playing and we have built a togetherness. We will fight for each other.’
it should be a cracking contest but Saracens must be favourites in a one- off game, given their pedigree.
They have several lions and World Cup finalists in their ranks, along with Premiership Player of the Year Ben earl and a wonderful new ‘find’ alongside him in the back row — Samoan Theo McFarland.
leicester will be a threat. No team led by ellis Genge and conducted by Ford will lack nous. And no team guided by Borthwick will be under-prepared.
But Saracens should have just too much. Their finest hour is within reach now.