Saracens are gunning to win their sixth Premiership title against Leicester at Twickenham today
(Picture: Getty Images)Saracens meet Leicester Tigers at Twickenham in the Premiership final this afternoon.
It is the Tigers’ first appearance in English rugby’s showpiece fixture since 2013, when they won the last of their record 10 titles.
Leicester have gone from strength to strength under the tutelage of former England captain and forwards coach Steve Borthwick, sitting at the Premiership summit for the entire 2021/22 campaign and topping the pile for the first time in 12 years.
It has been some rebuild of a fallen giant at Welford Road, which would have been hosting second-tier competition last season were it not for Saracens’ points deduction and subsequent relegation due to salary cap breaches.
The departing George Ford inspired Leicester to a tense 27-14 victory against East Midlands rivals Northampton in last weekend’s last-four showdown, with Freddie Steward registering a late try to seal their final spot.
Owen Farrell-led Sarries, meanwhile, came out on top in their own terrific derby contest, fighting back to topple defending champions Harlequins 34-17 despite going down to 13 men with yellow cards thanks to a hat-trick from Ben Earl and further efforts from Nick Tompkins and Aled Davies.
Mark McCall’s Saracens finished second behind Leicester in the regular season, seven points adrift as they made a swift Premiership return following that year down in the Championship.
Leicester vs Saracens date, kick-off time and venue
Leicester vs Saracens takes place today, Saturday June 18, 2022, at Twickenham Stadium in south-west London, with kick-off scheduled for 3pm BST.
How to watch Leicester vs Saracens
TV channel: In the UK, the Premiership final can be watched live for free on ITV4, with coverage beginning at 2:15pm.
There is also live coverage available on BT Sport 1, where the build-up starts at 2pm.
Live stream: Fans can also see the action unfold online via the ITV Hub, while BT Sport subscribers can follow along on the BT Sport website or app.
Rugby correspondent Will Macpherson will be in attendance for Standard Sport.
Leicester vs Saracens team news and lineups
Saracens make only one change to the side that started against Harlequins, with England lock Nick Isiekwe replacing Tim Swinson, who won’t get a final swansong before retirement.
For Leicester, veteran former Sarries scrum-half Richard Wigglesworth is preferred to Ben Youngs.
Leicester XV: Steward; Ashton, Moroni, Porter, Potter; Ford, Wigglesworth; Genge (capt), Montoya, Cole, Chessum, Green, Liebenberg, Reffell, Wiese.
Replacements: Clare, Leatigaga, Heyes, Wells, Martin, Youngs, Burns, Scott.
Saracens XV: Goode; Malins, Daly, Tompkins, Maitland; Farrell (capt), Davies; M Vunipola, George, Koch, Itoje, Isiekwe, McFarland, Earl, B Vunipola.
Replacements: Pifeleti, Mawi, Clarey, Wray, Christie, Van Zyl, Taylor, Lozowski.
Leicester vs Saracens key battles
Jamie George v Julian Montoya
England hooker George made a poor start to the semi-final, but was purring by its close. George is the emotional heartbeat of this Sarries side, living and breathing the club. Argentina’s Montoya is different, being an import, but has been simply immense all season, packing down in a very fine front row alongside Ellis Genge and Dan Cole. For a period last week, Quins got to Saracens at the scrum. Can Leicester’s fearsome unit do the same?
Owen Farrell v George Ford
A classic battle between two old friends and colleagues. These two have so much in common, from their background in the north and rugby league to their role as quasi-coaches, barking orders. For Ford, this is a sign-off from a fruitful spell with Leicester before he heads to the north-east. How he would love to take a first Premiership title with him — and his battle with his old friend will go such a long way to deciding it.
Alex Goode v Freddie Steward
Goode’s England aspirations are long gone, but he remains a masterful operator in the backfield for Sarries, as evidenced by the fact that Max Malins and Elliot Daly are parked elsewhere in the backline, unable to budge him. Steward has forced Malins onto the wing at international level and is very much England’s future in the 15 jersey. Both teams will kick plenty, making secure gathering of the high ball key.
Leicester vs Saracens head to head (h2h) history and results
Saracens came out on top in the last meeting between these two sides at Stonex Stadium in March, with Tom Woolstencroft, Alex Lewington, Sean Maitland and Vincent Koch all crossing the line in an entertaining 34-27 triumph.
However, Leicester won all of their 12 home Premiership contests this season, edging Sarries 13-12 at Welford Road in October courtesy of a last-gasp penalty try.
There were two consecutive Premiership final meetings in 2009/10 and 2010/11, with those matches split at Twickenham.
Leicester vs Saracens prediction
These sides have proven their resilience and fortitude in spades across recent months, with both able to pile up the points or squeeze out results with sheer physicality when necessary.
Leicester’s revival under Borthwick has been extraordinary, while Sarries wasted little time in re-establishing their authority in the Premiership after an enforced year-long absence.
Neither of these teams is a stranger to a rousing comeback, so we’ll opt for a titanic and hugely entertaining, bruising affair with plenty of tries in glorious sunshine at Twickenham.
However, Sarries, who still possess most of the stalwarts that have delivered them such success in the past, should have the know-how and experience to get the job done and claim their sixth title - a first since 2019.
Saracens to win.
Leicester vs Saracens betting odds
Leicester win: 9/5
Saracens win: 1/2
Draw: 22/1
