Saracens retain Premiership title for domestic and European double with 28-20 victory vs Exeter at Twickenham

Sarries joy: The club won to complete a European and domestic double.
2016 Getty Images
Chris Jones28 May 2016

Saracens celebrated back-to-back Premiership titles and the first European Champions Cup and domestic English double since 2004 by overcoming a spirited Exeter at Twickenham.

Having already beaten Racing 92 to become kings of Europe, Sarries have now confirmed their dominance in England.

But they had to fight off a second-half surge from Exeter, who left themselves too much to do trailing 23-6 at half time.

Alex Goode, who was Man of the Match and the Player of the Season, grabbed the last Sarries’ try four minutes from time to ensure victory.

The first half was all about Saracens’ pressure and Exeter’s inability to kick themselves out of trouble.

It meant that the reigning champions were given ample opportunity to run the ball back at the opposition, and Alex Goode was delighted with the room he was given by a poor kick chase from Exeter.

Farrell’s boot kept on punishing the Exeter indiscipline as they made errors under the constant pressure being exerted/

Midway through the first half a Gareth Steenson penalty was all Exeter had to show to counter three kicks from Farrell.

Thing got even worse as the Exeter defence was split open by Schalk Brits.

His break was built upon by good support work and Farrell’s grubber kick found Duncan Taylor on the left wing, who scored easily for the outside half to convert.

Another aimless kick allowed Goode to counter attack and when Henry Slade failed to complete a tackle on Chris Wyles, the wing bounced up and raced in to score.

Farrell converted and Steenson kicked a penalty to bring up half time with his side trailing 23-6.

Exeter were the better team in the second half and scored tries through John Yeandle and Jack Nowell - with Steenson converting both - and got back to 23-20 with seven minutes to go, but it wasn’t enough on the day.

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