Saracens reach Heineken Cup

Saracens 24 Gloucester 16

Saracens and their high-profile new signing – former Britain rugby league captain Andy Farrell – will play Heineken Cup rugby next season after defeating Gloucester 24-16 in today’s Zurich Wildcard final at Twickenham.

Saracens, who led 17-6 at half-time, had to withstand a concerted Gloucester fightback that saw full-back Brad Davies and lock Adam Eustace score tries, before joining fellow European qualifiers Leicester, Wasps, Sale Sharks, Bath and Leeds.

Skipper Hugh Vyvyan, Ben Johnston and his fellow wing Tevita Vaikona claimed Saracens’ touchdowns, as Gloucester, who will be in the second-tier European Challenge Cup next term, rued four missed goal-kicks from fly-half Duncan McRae and a sliced Davies conversion attempt.