Sale Sharks will require a monumental shift to deny a Saracens outfit stacked with multiple former Premiership Rugby champions in Saturday’s Grand Final at Twickenham.
Gallagher Premiership final
Saturday 27 May
Twickenham
Saracens 51/100 | Draw 20/1 | Sale Sharks 33/20
Handicap
Saracens (-4.5) 9/10 | Sale (+4.5) 9/10
Despite the club’s last Prem title coming back in 2019, Mark McCall’s current squad is loaded with players that formed part of several championship-winning campaigns in the past. The likes of Owen Farrell, Maro Itoje, Jamie George, Alex Goode and Mako Vunipola have seen and done it all before and know exactly what it takes to get over the line in a title decider.
Sarries topped the standings, finishing five-points clear of their Grand Final foes while they were also comprehensive in their 38-15 semi-final win over Northampton Saints. This being a World Cup year, it’s likely that many of the club’s stalwarts will either depart or hang up their boots at the end of the year, making this potentially something of a “last dance” scenario for them.
That, coupled with the hurt of last year’s 12-15 final defeat to Tigers they’re still carrying, should make them a scary prospect come match day.
In the corner 👌@Jono__Ross certainly enjoyed his last outing against Saracens and will be hoping for a successful final outing in the #GallagherPremFinal for @SaleSharksRugby 🦈#GallagherPrem | #SARvSAL
— Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) May 24, 2023
Sale achieved their one and only Premiership crown in 2006 and aside from a Premiership Rugby Cup triumph in 2020, have not tasted silverware since. Their current crop boasts numerous South Africans, with Robert du Preez having an outstanding campaign at No 10 and No 13.
They certainly have the power and panache to trouble Sarries, with each side having won and lost one in their two regular season head-to-heads. The question, rather, is whether they will be able to make the correct decisions and execute accurately on the day. The presence of the experienced George Ford will certainly lift them in this regard, but it’ll take a team effort to pull off the win.
With Sir Alex Ferguson having visited the players to offer some inspiration midweek, maybe the Manchester club are ready to upset the odds.
Verdict: Saracens at 51/100
Value bet: Saracens to clear the handicap
Sale have enjoyed their best season in years, and regardless of the result on Saturday, will look to build on their progress in the years ahead.
Unfortunately for them, they come up against a Saracens side built for occasions such as these. In what could be the final act of this legendary group, get on them to win one last title.
