Last weekend’s Premiership semi-finals put a full stop on the story of the underdog. Over the last few weeks we’ve seen La Rochelle, Lyon and the Bulls all upset the odds but with Saracens and Leicester reaching Saturday’s Premiership final we have a showdown between the two most consistent sides in the league this season.
Neutrals may have preferred a final between Harlequins and Northampton but the fact that Saracens and Leicester prevailed signals a shift away from last season, when playing to space and evasion were key, and back to the key fundamentals of physicality, control and territory. Both finalists have those qualities in abundance and though the weather forecast keeps changing, I really don’t think heavy rain would suit one team more than the other. They are that similar in outlook – even if it may mean even more kicking from hand than already anticipated.
