Burger monumental for Sarries

 

The Namibian was handed the man of the match award but it was a colossal team effort from Saracens, who lost so agonisingly to the Saints at Twickenham last year. 

 

Since that day Northampton had done the double over the North Londoners in the league, yet the tables well and truly turned at Franklin's Gardens on Saturday.

 

David Strettle got the ball rolling before the hosts responded with a penalty try and the two sides headed into the break level after the kicking of Stephen Myler and Owen Farrell cancelled each other out.

 

Two more tries were then traded between Jamie George and Tom Wood, but Farrell took over the game with his nerveless kicking – collecting 19 points in total to ultimately secure Saracens a berth in the final.

 

And Burger said: "There's no secret that they've had it better than us the last couple of times and they're a really good side, we knew we had to come here at our best.

 

"But we were one week away from the final and it doesn't matter where you are, it's 80 minutes of rugby. At every collision we were there.

 

"We knew that was what we needed to do, they're very physical and a very powerful side and we had to match that.

 

"But we knew we had that physicality in the bag and I think the boys put in a hell of a shift."

 

Meanwhile Northampton director of rugby Jim Mallinder accepted the defeat and admits his side were not able to match Saracens at the breakdown.

 

"We knew what their plan would be and they did what we expected, but they do it very, very well," he said.

 

"At the breakdown they were physical. Those Vunipola brothers, once they get over the ball their stomachs are touching the ground already. It's near impossible to move them.

 

"Everyone decides how they want to play and Saracens have gone down their route. That's the game.

 

"They do it very, very well. To become champions you have to beat all styles and we didn't get over this hurdle."

 

@Premrugby