Defying Premiership semi-final travel sickness the aim for Saracens and Sale

19/05/2024 16:30

Only once since 2015 has an away side progressed to the Premiership final, with Bath and Saints hosting this season

This year's Gallagher Premiership campaign has not been short on drama and the best could still await. After a breathless Saturday afternoon when one of the season's more remarkable away wins occurred, the upshot is a brace of semi-finals full of intriguing plot lines, not least whether Sale Sharks or Saracens can now buck the well-established historical trend of home victories in the last four.

Just once since 2015 has an away side won a Premiership semi-final and that was the famous "Bristanbul" game in 2021 when Harlequins needed extra time to complete a stunning fightback from 28-0 down. Otherwise 15 of the past 16 final eliminators have been won by the hosts, which explained the broad smiles and upbeat atmosphere in Bath when confirmation of Sale's stunning 20-10 win at the StoneX Stadium came through.