Saracens vs Exeter: Owen Farrell in fitness race to make Premiership play-off final

Owen Farrell is facing a race against time to prove his fitness for Saturday’s Premiership play-off final against Exeter at Twickenham.

The fly-half, who has been in outstanding form since helping England win the Grand Slam, injured ribs in the 44-17 semi-final win over Leicester at the weekend and was unable to train yesterday.

Mark McCall, Saracens’ director of rugby, said: “Owen’s got bit of an issue with his side and he needs to train with us tomorrow. If he does, then he will play. We are not going to rush the decision.”

If Farrell fails to make the final, there is a more than adequate replacement in former England fly-half Charlie Hodgson, who is retiring from rugby after Saturday’s showpiece.

“Charlie is one of the greats of Premiership rugby down the years,” said McCall. “The word class sums him up and he still looks class out on the training field.”

Saracens, are attempting back-to-back Premiership titles and can complete a European Champions Cup and domestic double if they overcome Exeter, who finished behind them in second place at the end of the regular season.

McCall revealed he had tried to get Chris Ashton to reverse his decision not to accept a place on England’s Saxons tour of South Africa this summer. “I had a conversation with Chris but he is a big boy and weighed up everything and he felt that he wouldn’t have been in the right place to support the team as well as he could be. That is a courageous decision.”