For all the various permutations that exist as the race for the Premiership semi-finals reaches its climax on Saturday, the equation is simple for Sale: victory at Saracens will seal their spot in the last four. They have the advantage of knowing that their destiny is in their own hands, even if the task that awaits them is sizeable.
That Sale have afforded themselves that luxury is no mean feat considering they were top of the table not long before Christmas but languishing in eighth spot a couple of months ago. If it has been an unpredictable season across the board then no side has been more capricious than last season’s losing finalists.
