The 2016 Aviva Premiership final gives us one of the best narratives we’ve seen in recent years. Saracens have been the bona fide best team in Europe this season, oozing consistency in swotting aside most comers as they set themselves up for what would be a well-deserved double.
And then there is Exeter. The upstarts from Devon who have muscled their way into the Premiership big boys’ club in breathtaking fashion, and in an incredibly short time. They have built from the ground up and played some stunning rugby along the way. If there’s one thing you can guarantee, it’s that this is no flash-in-the-pan – they are here to stay.
All of which lends itself to what should be a belting conclusion to a brilliant Premiership season. Exeter will be cheered on by pretty much every rugby fan in the country that doesn’t identify as a Fez head – and yet Saracens have been so relentlessly good this year, few would begrudge them the title.
SARACENS
To the surprise of absolutely no-one, the champions stick with the same line-up for the third week in a row, keeping the faith in the men that won the Champions Cup and also steam-rolled Leicester in the semi-final.
To be frank, it’s tough to write anything new about this side that has been performing so well. We know the headlines: Billy Vunipola will do his best dumper-truck impression on the gainline, Maro Itoje will steal line-outs til his heart’s content, George Kruis will run himself into the ground and Richard Wigglesworth and Owen Farrell will control the game with their boots.
The performance of Chris Ashton will be mightily interesting to watch. He has whipped up a storm by rejecting the opportunity to tour with the Saxons this summer – he needs to back-up that decision with a strong outing at Twickenham, a venue he has enjoyed in the past.
A mention, too, for the underrated centre pairing of Brad Barritt and Duncan Taylor. Barritt’s defensive prowess is well-documented, but both also run intelligent lines in attack that allow the likes of Farrell and Alex Goode to exploit the space that appears as a result. They are the glue that holds this team together.
EXETER CHIEFS
Should Exeter lose, it will come as little consolation that their season has been a resounding success. After several near misses they made the play-offs and played with impressive nous – if not quite the verve we’re used to from them – to beat Wasps in the semi-final. They were the second best team throughout the season and fully deserve their day out at Twickenham.
Like Saracens, Exeter remain faithful to the 15 guys that got them here. The excellent Don Armand will be an industrious, mobile presence at number eight, although Thomas Waldrom’s impact from the bench will be missed, particularly if the Chiefs are chasing the game.
Gareth Steenson steers the ship from fly-half and again wears the captain’s arm-band – no-one would be more deserving of a Premiership winner’s medal than the veteran fly-half who has been at the helm of this Exeter side for eight years now. As always, the way he dovetails with secondary playmaker Henry Slade will give Exeter plenty of width.
Head to head: Richard Wigglesworth vs Will Chudley
Two contrasting types of scrum-half face off on Saturday. Richard Wigglesworth may not be the most exciting of scrum-halves, but in the big games on the big stage, his experience and game management is crucial to the way Saracens play. He is the best box-kicking scrum half in the country, and in the wide expanses of Twickenham that will be of vital importance. Chudley is more of a sniper and will look to keep the Saracens defence honest – the battle between them will be just one of many fascinating subplots in this game.
PREDICTION
Exeter’s win over Wasps was a fantastic example of precise knockout rugby. They did not chance their arm too often, but took their chances when they came along. They overpowered their visitors to reach the final.
The problem is, they are unlikely to be able to overpower Saracens. The men from North London have also perfected their knockout rugby game this season, becoming the very definition of clinical.
So Exeter face something of a dilemma. Do they try to run Saracens off their feet? Leicester tried that in the semi-final; it can work, but if you’re not 100% accurate (as Leicester weren’t), Saracens will pick you off when the mistakes come.
Exeter are certainly a good enough team to win this final, but they will have to put in the best performance of their season. Given it is their first final, there will likely be some nerves, and a few wobbles early on. That could see Saracens go ahead, and once they have a lead to defend, they are nigh on unbeatable. Saracens by 8.
By Jamie Hosie
Follow Jamie on Twitter: @jhosie43
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
At the start of the season when I asked (and on the assumption the Saracens would reach the final, I know a bit arrogant but can you begrudge us Fez heads that with the development we’ve seen) who would we like to play in a final most of us would have said Chiefs.
That both sides reached the final is another snook cocked at the old boys of rugby.
What can be said is that both sets of fans will enjoy each others company (if nothing else the Devon fans have added to the Prem as much as the team) and hopefully the game despite whatever result occurs.
Exeter are probably most people’s second favourite team, and I’m sure they will be cheered on by any neutrals at the game. Their fans have brought a new brand of support to the premiership and are some of the friendliest fans around. I for one am looking forward to welcoming them to their first premiership final.
As for the game, I find it difficult to look past a Sarries win. The way this team have played all season I can’t see them losing this final. The experience of being there before and losing and the experience of winning it twice will be enough to see them through.
Whoever wins I just hope it’s a good game and that Mr. Barnes gets to let the game flow.