Saracens Director of Rugby Mark McCall praised his players for sticking with the club through the “mistakes” of the salary cap scandals, arguing that the unity built at that time carried them to Premiership semi-final victory over Harlequins in their first season back in the top flight.
Saracens were relegated in 2020 for salary cap indiscretions, before bouncing straight back from the Championship.
They finished second in the table, then beat Quins 34-17 at the StoneX Stadium in the play-offs. They will face Northampton or Leicester in Saturday’s final at Twickenham.
McCall was delighted with his side’s resilience in the face of comeback kings Quins.
“The level of resilience at different times in the match, that’s the thing that always pleases the most,” said McCall.
"It’s been a tough two and a half years, with problems of our own making, mistakes were made, but 99% of the people in the organisation weren’t responsible for what happened.
“Every one of them had a reason to leave, if they wanted to. None of them did, and that level of loyalty probably saved the club to be honest.
"I think we saw out on the field where that loyalty comes from, that togetherness and unity which exists. It’s a special group of players and I couldn’t be prouder.”
