A thrilling race to the finish will leave most Premiership fans rooted in the present on Saturday afternoon, but for the nostalgics there are plenty of reasons to reminisce and remember glories of the past. There will come a time when the semi-final win over New Zealand at the 2019 World Cup is no longer used as a seminal reference point – proof of what a confident England side can be – but there is a case this weekend to dig out the DVD and press play, to revel in the misty-eyed memories and madness of a night when England overran the world champions.
For much of Eddie Jones’s finest vintage are now bidding adieu. Saturday will mark the regular season farewells to a host of key figures in that side, from Owen Farrell and the Vunipolas at Saracens to Kyle Sinckler, Manu Tuilagi and Courtney Lawes elsewhere, lured south by all that France has to offer.
