James Mitchell
Former Sale scrum-half, on BBC Radio Manchester

Four of the last five Premiership finals had scorelines that have all been within one converted try.

The games are always tight. Kicks like that do matter and are the smart option.

Matt Dawson
Former England scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 Live

Great response from Sale with their first attack.

Maro Itoje won't be pleased with losing the kick-off. In these types of games, mistakes are going to be crucial.

No mistake from George Ford from outside the 22 to the left of the posts.

We're level again and both 10s have a successful kick under their belts.

Image source, Getty Images

This time Sale do get the ball back from the kick-off.

Manu Tuilagi is stopped just in front of the 22 but the Sharks then spread the ball to the left wing.

There is no way through there and they come back inside, and get a penalty at the breakdown as a Saracens player fails to roll away.

Great start by Saracens after Arron Reed cannot gather a high up-and-under from Owen Farrell and Sarries keep the ball.

They pound away inside the Sale 22 and pick up an advantage but can't find a way through the Sharks defence.

The move breaks down and Owen Farrell decides to take the points from in front of the posts.

Image source, PA Media

Paul Grayson
Former England fly-half on BBC Radio 5 Live

George Ford versus Owen Farrell will shape this game. They are absolute beasts of the English game.

Sale are a bit too over-eager in their bid to win that kick-off back at the breakdown, and Saracens can clear up to just in front of half-way and potentially build an attacking platform.

The pre-match pomp and pageantry is done and dusted.

Sale fly-half George Ford gets the 2023 Premiership final under way.

These sides have one win apiece from their regular league meetings this season.

Saracens triumphed 36-22 at home at the end of October, while Sale won the return fixture 35-22 on 5 March.

Referee Luke Pearce is in charge of the final for the first time.

James Mitchell
Former Sale scrum-half, on BBC Radio Manchester

They’re both very, very good players, very hard to play against. Their game control is what they get recognised for. They have very high standards and don’t accept mediocrity.

"I’m not sure England have found the right balance yet with them both in the team. They have a few warm-up games leading into the World Cup where they can play around with the combination and see what’s best.

"I think there are battles across the board, two kicking nines, you’ve got Tom Curry and Ben Earl, who are so good both with and without the ball, then the midfield battle is going to be really interesting."

The teams are out at Twickenham to the roar of the crowd and the PA system.

The stadium isn't by any means full today, but there's a terrific noise all the same.

The national anthem is coming up.

Paul Grayson
Former England fly-half on BBC Radio 5 Live

I'm originally from Chorley in Lancashire and I can't tell you how much it means to rugby in the north west that Sale are here.

This is enormous for rugby in that part of the world

They are so pumped up for it. They are realistic in their expectations of what might happen, but this is their first visit for a long time and they don't want it to be a one-off.

With five minutes until kick-off, here's a reminder of today's starting XVs and benches:

Saracens: Goode; Malins, Lozowski, Tompkins, Maitland; Farrell (capt), Van Zyl; Mawi, George, Riccioni, Itoje, Tizard, Isiekwe, Earl, Wray.

Replacements: Dan, Hislop, Judge, Hunter-Hill, Knight, Davies, Taylor, Daly.

Sale Sharks: Carpenter; Roebuck, R Du Preez, Tuilagi, Reed; Ford, Warr; McIntyre, Van der Merwe, Schonert, J-L Du Preez, Hill, T Curry, Dugdale, Ross (capt).

Replacements: Ashman, Rodd, Oosthuizen, Beaumont, Ellis, Quirke, James, O'Flaherty.

Luke Pearce is the referee, with Karl Dickson and Christophe Ridley his assistants and Tom Foley the TMO.

You can send us your thoughts on today's match by using #bbcrugby on Twitter.

We've had a DJ set already and now Twickenham is bearing witness to an pitch-side performance of Fatboy Slim's 'Right Here, Right Now' by a band with strings and brass instruments.

Flagholders with banners representing the 11 Premiership clubs are also out on the turf, with giant flags for Sarries and Sale.

he pyrotechnics are going and the atmosphere is building ahead of kick-off...

Image source, Rex Features

Sale Sharks centre Manu Tuilagi believes lifting the Premiership title for the first time since 2006 would give rugby union in the north a major boost.

This is the Manchester-based club's first final since that sole triumph, while Newcastle Falcons, in 1997-98, are the only other club north of the Midlands to have won the title.

In February Sale launched a 'Northern Rugby Matters' campaign, external to increase awareness of - and celebrate - the 15-man code in a region which has an abundance of rugby league sides.

"After 17 years, for Sale to get this opportunity is huge for us as players," England international Tuilagi, 32, told BBC Sport.

"We have the opportunity to do something great for the people of the north and the Sharks organisation.

"We've been waiting for a long time and it's massive. We can't wait and will give everything."

Image source, Getty Images#

Back row Ben Earl hopes a Premiership title with Saracens will help him force his way into the England team for the Rugby World Cup.

The 25-year-old, last year's Premiership player of the season, has 15 caps but only featured twice during the Six Nations under head coach Steve Borthwick.

"I think I've played as consistently as I did last year, which was a big challenge of mine," Earl told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"There's no point winning some of the accolades I did last year and not backing it up.

"Selfishly, the elephant in the room is that I wish I could have played a bit more for England in that Six Nations campaign. For whatever reason I didn't and I've learned a lot from that.

"Steve was unbelievably positive about my work in the Six Nations. Unfortunately selection didn't always go my way.

"I'm trying to stay positive and put my best foot forward in these big games, which are probably the games he [Borthwick] is looking at the most."

Image source, Getty Images

Former England captain Matt Dawson believes that the return of Alex Sanderson to Sale to take on the director of rugby role at the club was a game-changer in getting Sale to become a Premiership force.

That, along with enticing George Ford to move to AJ Bell Stadium last summer, have been instrumental moves in helping Sale to reach this Twickenham final for the first time since 2006.

"Sale have been on a rollercoaster in the Premiership over the years," Dawson told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"They've been top, middle and bottom and have covered every position over the last 17 years.

"There has been a lot of change, but there's no question the introduction of Alex Sanderson has not only revitalised Sale but given a lift to their culture.

"George Ford drops into that as well. He's got all the experience. He's won and lost finals but he is making it very apparent to players and the community what Sale can do together - as a club, as a city, as individual players.

"There's a very different feel around Sale. They don't seem to be winning games by the bounce of a ball or a referee's decision.

"They are staking a claim in the game and that's different to where they have been previously."

If you also want to listen to radio commentary alongside our live text, then you are spoilt for choice.

BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio London and BBC Radio Manchester are all offering coverage from Twickenham.

Simply quick the relevant play button above to tune in...

Image source, Rex Features

Former England captain Lawrence Dallaglio has an inkling that Sale will defy their status as underdogs and lift the Premiership trophy.

Dallaglio captained Wasps to victory in four Twickenham finals between 2003 and 2008 and knows exactly what it takes to get over the line.

On none of those occasions had Wasps finished the regular season in first place in the league table, but they peaked for the biggest game of all.

"I quite like being the underdog, it's a good position to be in," Dallaglio told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"Being the underdog allows you to drive the narrative. Look at Ronan O'Gara last week (the La Rochelle coach). That's what he was doing before the game, it sets the tone for the match.

"Sale have got to play out of their skin. Saracens get things done, but this is a pressure game for them - they'll want to win a trophy.

"Up front there are some huge battles, a few players missing from each side, but I feel something in the water about Sale.

"I just think they have a pack that can take Saracens on up front."

Image source, Rex Features

Saracens wing Max Malins plays his last match for the club today before his summer move to Bristol Bears, and is desperate to go out with a Premiership winners medal.

Although the England international made his first-team debut in 2017, he was not part of the matchday squads which won the title in 2018 or 2019.

The 26-year-old was a beaten semi-finalist during a loan spell with Bristol in 2020-21 and was part of the Sarries side which lost to Leicester in the final last June.

"Last year was pretty hard to take," Malins told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"I feel like I need this for myself. I've yet to play in a Premiership final and win. It's a massive motivation."

It could also be a first title for Saracens following their relegation in 2020 for salary cap breaches, and their immediate return to the top flight,

"These are the games we set our sights on at the start of the season," Malins said.

"For this club, after what we've been through, to be able to have a Premiership trophy to show for it a couple of years later would not only be massive for myself but massive for the club."