Farrell kicks Saracens into final rematch
SARACENS (12) vs GLOUCESTER (10)
SARACENS boss Mark McCall hailed the club’s young talisman Owen Farrell after the teenage fly-half kicked them into the Premiership final at the expense of Gloucester.
Farrell, 19, landed four penalties, including the decisive late winner, to clinch a 12th win in a row and set up a Twickenham showdown with Leicester for the second year in succession.
The youthful No10 has emerged as one of the driving forces behind Sarries’ strong finish to the season, and director of rugby McCall was full of praise for the son of cross-code great Andy Farrell.
“It says everything about Owen Farrell that he missed a couple of kicks at goal and he is the guy who wants to put his hand up to kick the winning penalty,” said McCall. “He has been incredible for us over a six-month period. He has guided the team to this run of victories we have had and he did that again today.”
Farrell, who has been tipped as a late contender to break into the England squad for this year’s World Cup, kicked over twice in the first half, with Nicky Robinson replying for Gloucester.
The visitors then took advantage of Saracens captain Steve Borthwick’s sin-binning to score the game’s only try, through Robinson. Gloucester appeared to have snatched victory, but Farrell, whose kick was charged down for the try, scored the decisive penalty in the 77th minute.
Leicester sweat on duo ban fear
LEICESTER face a nervous wait to discover whether centre Mani Tuilagi and coach Richard Cockerill will be suspended for the Premiership final against Saracens. Tuilagi is expected to be cited for punching Northampton wing Chris Ashton while Cockerill and fellow coach Matt O’Connor could be in trouble for comments about referee Wayne Barnes during Saturday’s semi-final win over the Saints.