Premiership Rugby Cup: Saracens beaten 28-7 by Sale Sharks in semi-final

Will Cliff played for Bristol and Yorkshire in the Championship

Saracens' hope of silverware to relieve a troubled season now rests with the European Champions Cup after defeat at Sale in the Premiership Rugby Cup.

Fears of being thrown out of Europe were removed during the game, but not before Saracens conceded three tries inside the opening quarter from Denny Solomona, Will Cliff and Ben Curry.

Hooker Akker van der Merwe added a fourth try after half-time and Sale will now play Harlequins in the final.

Romiti Segun went over for Saracens.

The try for the winger, who can run 100m in 11.3 seconds, briefly kept the semi-final alive in the final quarter but the game was lost in the early stages when two turnovers led to tries.

Solomona scored after only 76 seconds - the third-fastest try in the history of the competition - before Marland Yarde escaped up the left wing to send Cliff over and Curry burst through the middle of a lineout to run in unopposed.

Sale, whose last silverware came back in 2006 when they won their only Premiership title, will host the final on 15 March.

Sale director of rugby Steve Diamond told BT Sport:

"The plan three years ago when the owners invested in the club was to get in the top four and it's coming together.

"We give the cup the respect it deserves, playing the same squad in this game as we have done in the group stage.

"I'm really glad we're in a final and have a chance of some silverware - that would be great for our development as a club."

Saracens senior academy coach Adam Powell:

"They have a very experienced side and are one of better defensive teams in the league.

"We conceded some quick tries and then you have a choice to make - you either roll over or you roll your sleeves up.

"So I'm proud the rest of the game was seven-all, especially when we were down to 13 men for a period."

Sale Sharks: Hammersley; Solomona, S James, Van Rensburg, Yarde; R du Preez, Cliff; Oosthuizen, Webber, Cooper-Woolley, Evans, J-L du Preez, Ross (capt), B Curry, D du Preez.

Replacements: Van der Merwe, Harrison, John, Phillips, Wilson, Warr, Curtis, L James.

Saracens: Gallagher; Crossdale, Taylor, Morris, Obatoyinbo; Goode, Whiteley (capt); Lamositele, Woolstencroft, Ibuanokpe, Hunter-Hill, Joel Kpoku, Isiekwe, Reffell, Christie.

Replacements: Pifeleti, Crean, Wainwright, Jon Kpoku, Stonham, Day, Lozowski, Segun.

Referee: Hamish Smales.

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