Northampton edge Saracens to reach Premiership final

Gallagher Premiership semi-final

Northampton: (16) 22

Tries: Odendaal Pens: F Smith 5 Cons: F Smith

Saracens: (6) 20

Tries: Lewington, Cinti Pens: Daly 2 Cons: Daly 2

Premiership table-toppers Northampton Saints held on to seal their place in the grand final with a thrilling 22-20 win over Saracens.

Fin Smith kicked five penalties in a low-scoring match while Owen Farrell appeared to play through injury in his final appearance for Saracens.

Burger Odendaal’s try put the home side on their way to a 10-point lead at half-time.

Sarries hit back after the break through Alex Lewington before Lucio Cinti's 79th-minute try set up a grandstand finish but the visitors were denied.

Saints advance to the Twickenham final on 8 June against the winners of the Bath-Sale Sharks game, who play on Saturday.

More to follow.

Northampton: Furbank; Freeman, Odendaal, Dingwall, Sleightholme; F Smith Mitchell; A Waller, Langdon, Davison; Moon, Coles; Lawes C, Pearson, Augustus

Replacements: S Matavesi, Iyogun, Millar Mills, Mayanavanua, Graham, Ludlam, James, Hendy

Saracens: Daly; Lewington, Cinti, Tompkins, Parton; Farrell C, Van Zyl; M Vunipola, George, Riccioni; Itoje, Isiekwe; Gonzalez, Earl, B Vunipola

Replacements: Dan, Mawi, Hoskins, Tizard, McFarland, Willis, Davies, Lozowski

Referee: Christophe Ridley