Preview: Saracens vs. Exeter

11:42 AM GMT

Saracens vs. Exeter Chiefs

Twickenham

Saturday, 15.00 GMT

After 22 rounds, two semifinals and eight months of domestic rugby, we're finally here. The Aviva Premiership final will grace the famous Twickenham turf once more this Saturday, with reigning and defending champions Saracens facing first-time finalists Exeter. Mark McCall's side have won their last nine games and look seemingly unstoppable. However, the Chiefs relished their first-ever Premiership semifinal against Wasps last week and moved one step away from being crowned champions. South west London is in for a cracker.

Team news

The big news for Saracens in their quest for a historic double is that fly-half Owen Farrell has been passed fit for this weekend. The No.10 suffered damaged ribs in Saracens' semifinal victory over Leicester last weekend, but head coach McCall is now able to count on his star man.

As a result, McCall has named an unchanged starting XV from the side that defeated Tigers. Mako Vunipola will make his 100th appearance for the club.

Exeter, meanwhile, have also named an unchanged XV from the side that beat Wasps. Rob Baxter has kept faith, with the Chiefs' only three changes coming on the bench.

Kai Horstmann and Michele Campagnaro come into the fray, while Damian Welch has recovered from a knee injury to take place as a replacement.

Saracens: Goode, Ashton, Taylor, Barritt, Wyles, Farrell, Wigglesworth; M. Vunipola, Brits, Du Plessis, Itoje, Kruis, Rhodes, Fraser, B. Vunipola.

Replacements: George, Barrington, Figallo, Hamilton, Wray, De Kock, Hodgson, Bosch.

Exeter: Dollman, Nowell, Slade, Whitten, Woodburn, Steenson, Chudley; Moon, Cowan-Dickie, Williams, Lees, Parling, Ewers, Salvi, Armand.

Replacements: Yeandle, Hepburn, Francis, Welch, Horstmann, Lewis, Campagnaro, Short.

Key head-to-head

The two best Premiership defences will pit themselves against each other this weekend -- making headway in the engine room will be key. Expect a fierce battle between Saracens duo Maro Itoje and George Kruis and Exeter's Mitch Lees and Geoff Parling.

Key stats

• Exeter Chiefs become the tenth side to play in the Aviva Premiership final, although their Twickenham record isn't exactly sparkling: they've played five, lost five at the national stadium.

• Saracens have only lost once in their last six visits to Twickenham: their last defeat their came in the 2014 final to Northampton Saints.

• This final will pit the two staunchest Premiership defences against each other: Exeter finished top with Saracens' famous 'Wolf Pack' a close second in the rankings.

Form guide

Saracens - WWWWW

Exeter - LLWWW

Odds

Unsurprisingly, Saracens are overwhelming favourites to successfully defend their Premiership title. They are priced at 21/100 with Unibet, while Exeter are 100/30 with the same company.

Prediction

It would be wrong to discredit the bookmakers' views on this: Saracens have been brilliant in the business end of the season and will be victorious once again. Sarries to win by 7 points.

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Preview: Saracens vs. Exeter