Saracens boss Mark McCall hailed the qualities of the departing Owen Farrell after revealing that an injury almost forced the fly half out of their semi-final defeat to Northampton Saints. The visitors were narrowly beaten at Cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens as the Saints went marching on into the Premiership final.

Owen Farrell battled through his final Saracens match “on one leg” and still almost steered the Men In Black to another Premiership final. Mark McCall revealed Farrell suffered a minor quadriceps tear in training on Monday, and was even a doubt to play against Northampton in the warm-up on Friday night.

Owen Farrell’s 16 years bending everything in English rugby to his iron will is finally over.The 32-year-old so nearly made the rugby world turn his way once more, almost pulling off what would have been a remarkable smash and grab raid at Northampton.