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A fine evening at Franklin's Gardens.

A raucous atmosphere, a very hard-fought game but Northampton good enough.

They're back in the Premiership final for the first time since 2014.

They will play either Bath or Sale who meet at The Rec tomorrow afternoon so join us then.

Chris Ashton
Two-time Champions Cup winner on 5 live sports extra

The right team is in the final.

Northampton have been on top of the league all season and they deserve their place in the final.

They had so many chances and they weren't able to capitalise on them all and you could see that they were nervy and the crowd was nervy.

Owen Farrell is carrying a ridiculous injury which would have made a lot of other players miss the game but he's battled through it knowing what it meant to him but all good things come to an end at some point.

Teams get older and players move on and that's just what is happening.

Northampton director of rugby Phil Dowson tells TNT Sports:

"It was so tight throughout but we dealt with lots of things they threw at us - the breakdown and at the line out.

"In the second half we worked it out and spent a lot of time in their half.

"We talked about getting our game on the pitch and playing the game not the occasion."

Chris Jones
³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ rugby union correspondent

A classic semi-final tussle, cagey and nerve-ridden but always compelling.

For Saracens and Owen Farrell, the end of an era. Despite Sarries’ iron-will competitiveness, they weren’t quite consistent or fluent enough to cause an upset.

And while it was far from vintage from Northampton, it was enough.

Whoever they play at Twickenham, the Saints will start as favourites to win the Premiership title and give Courtney Lawes a dream send-off.

Saracens fly-half Owen Farrell tells TNT Sports:

"It's sad that it's done for a few of us now but we'll look back fondly.

"They got on top of us in a couple of areas and we couldn't get out of our half at times but we showed a lot of heart and fight to stay in the game.

"I've been here since I was 13 and spent most of my lift at this club and I've loved it."

Hugh Godwin
Rugby union journalist on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio London

We said at the start of play that if Northampton can come through this semi-final and win at Twickenham then it confirms them as the coming force in England.

They have played the most consistently good rugby this season in the Premiership and they deserve to be in the final on that strength and also the way they've played tonight.

Saracens No. 8 Billy Vunipola tells TNT Sports:

"We've got to be grateful for what we've had and what we've done.

"It's life. Everyone moves on. We've had a good run and hopefully the boys can get back next season.

"We couldn't handle the pressure they put on us and we came up short."

Northampton flanker Courtney Lawes tells TNT Sports:

"We weren't at our best but to still find a way to win is great but this performance doesn't mean anything if we don't turn up next week.

"We should be expecting to win games like this and we proved we can over the season.

"We really targeted the scrum, they messed around a few times but when we got them to actually scrum, we showed what we can do."

Lennie Newman
Former Northampton Saints player and manager

Alex Mitchell by any stretch of imagination has been the man of the match but only one person can beat that and we've witnessed it again with Courtney Lawes, he's been absolutley immense. Outstanding.

What an achievement by this Saints side and credit to Saracens, they came to win.

Northampton's work rate was absolutely fantastic.

Breathtaking.

Northampton scrum-half Alex Mitchell tells TNT Sports:

"We made it way too tight at the end there but we got the job done.

"We had a few chances that we butchered and whoever we now play we'll have to dig in.

"It's been a long time coming and I've always wanted to play in a final at Twickenham."

Image source, Rex Features

What a game that was.

Northampton looked in complete control with Fin Smith's boot in that second half but Saracens kept it going to the very end with two very well worked tries.

But ultimately, Northampton never looked likely to let that slip and they will head to Twickenham next Saturday for the Premiership final.

Saracens trying to run it out of their 22 but Courtney Lawes wraps up a tackle, maul called, it goes to ground, ball unplayable and game over!

Last play. Saracens deep inside their own half.

Sarries playing deep in their own half but making no ground.

They spread it wide left and lose the ball.

But Nick Tomkins then wins the ball on the floor.

One last lifeline.

After 10 phases, Alex Mitchell box kicks.

Sarries run it back and Elliot Daly almost slips Alex Lozowski away but he spills the pass!

Could have been a run in.

Is that Sarries last chance?

Saracens just about hold their scrum and the sides exchange kicks.

But Elliot Daly then slices one out to the halfway line.

Looking very much Saints game now.

Saracens with a loose line out and they're smashed back to halfway.

Saints then win a turnover and Burger Odendaal makes a break.

Geroge Furbank follows him with a step inside and Saints are into the 22.

The work it right and then back infield but Sarries force a knock-on to stay alive.

Fin Smith back on target from wide out on the left.

A big kick - Saints now more than a score ahead.

Elliot Daly takes a high ball, then steps off a defender and tries to slip a pass to Ivan van Zyl.

But it's slightly in front of him and van Zyl knocks on.

Saints on the charge at the scrum again and it's another penalty.

Six now won by Saints at the scrum.