Saracens ready to do it the hard way as Northampton trip looms in Premiership semi-finals

Mark McCall last week insisted Saracens could retain their Gallagher Premiership title the hard way – and now that is exactly what they must do.

Saracens’ 20-10 home loss to Sale Sharks on Saturday has left the Men In Black fourth in the table, and staring down a semi-final trip to Northampton Saints.

Rugby director McCall sounded the ominous warning to Saracens’ rivals but his team must now take on the league’s top side at Franklin’s Gardens on Friday, May 31.

McCall branded Saturday’s surprise Sale loss as “poor”, before urging his side to bounce back one more time amid a turbulent season.

“Our number one strength this year has been responding to setbacks,” said McCall.

“We are going to have to do that again: there are no more second chances.”

Harlequins’ run to the Champions Cup semi-final ultimately saw their Premiership campaign fizzle out, slipping to 53-28 home defeat by Bristol to finish sixth.