Tommy Freeman takes a box kick down the right wing to get Saints moving.

They work it infield and then win their first breakdown penalty of the night.

Fin Smith calls for the tee.

Lennie Newman
Former Northampton Saints player and manager

These are the defining moments which you look back on.

Such fine moments in this game.

Image source, Rex Features

Jamie George goes over but is he offisde?

Sarries work it to the blindside off the line-out and a dab in behind is taken and passed back inside for George to go over.

But the hooker was in front of the kick, never retreating, and a very smart try is ruled out.

Jamie George throws a crooked line-out and Fin Smith lofts the free-kick towards the Sarries 22.

It's claimed in white and then Sarries win their latest breakdown penalty.

The visitors definitely on top on the floor so far.

Image source, Rex Features

Elliot Daly steps up again, this time from 40 yards out, and knocks over a lovely strike to double the lead.

A superb game so far.

Sarries turn to get whacked in midfield and they're forced to work with slow ball.

Courtney Lawes has a dip at a ruck but is pinged for going off his feet and it's another Sarries penalty.

A big carry from Burger Odendaal off the scrum.

But from the second phase, Alex Mitchell is caught at the base of the ruck and knocks on.

Hugh Godwin
Rugby union journalist on BBC Radio London

Elliot Daly is a wonderful player to have, he's had a good season.

Not necessarily all guns blazing for England in the second half the season but Saracens have been getting some good stuff out of him.

The Sarries pack are making a real mess of Saints ball so far.

Another scrappy line-out leads to a carrier being stripped but it goes forwards off Sarries' white and another scrum to the hosts.

Lovely stuff from Sarries off the line-out.

They work it to the right and Elliot Daly makes a break and offloads inside to Ivan van Zyl who gallops up towards the 22.

Owen Farrell sees space on the left and kicks to the touchline but Alex Lewington knocks on under pressure trying to gather the catch.

Saints then win a penalty at the scrum this time and can clear.

A second free-kick given up by Saints at the scrum gives Saracens an easy out.

But it's outside the 22 and Elliot Daly kicks straight to touch!

So a perfect attacking platform for the hosts.

Maro Itjoe makes a mess of the line-out and then Ben Earl comes up with a turnover at the breakdown in midfield.

Tommy Freeman grabs an up-and-under down the right and sets up a Saints attack.

They bang it up the middle through Curtis Langdon before George Furbank takes them up to the 22.

But a huge hit forces a knock-on.

What a start here.

Image source, Rex Features

The simplest of nudges for Elliot Daly and Sarries lead.

After a big hit from Tommy Freeman on Elliot Daly off first phase, Juan Martin Gonzalez makes a break down the right flank and Sarries win another breakdown penalty.

It's kicked to within 10 yards of the line.

The initial maul is repelled so Sarries work it infield with the backs. Saints bundle the attack into touch on the left but another penalty is given up by Saints and this is in front of the posts.

Lennie Newman
Former Northampton Saints player and manager

They're calling this the semi-final of romance because of the departing players from both sides.

It's quite sad to see such quality leaving our shores but I think for all of them it's the right decision which ever club you're at.

There's a lot of old heads, very seasoned internationals leaving Saracens as there are Northampton but you do feel that the Saints new crop have probably got the march on the Saracens lads at the moment but you absolutely right them off at your peril.

The start Northampton Saints need to make is imperative this evening.

Saracens claim the kick-off but Saints immediately turn it over.

A free-kick to Saints at the scrum, a tap-and-go but Sarries turn it over in midfield and win a penalty to kick into the Saints half.

With the Gardens rocking, smoke lingering in the air and the crowd in full voice, we're under way for this first semi-final.

Saints playing towards the Lake End in this first half as Fin Smith kicks off.

Image source, Rex Features

Chris Ashton
Two-time Champions Cup winner on 5 live sports extra

I've been on the end of two defeats in semi-finals and on both occasions we've been on top of the league.

I can't decide which way this is going to go.

Chris Peddy
BBC Sport at Franklin's Gardens

There's a huge roar from the crowd as Saints walk off the pitch after their warm-up.

The stands are filling up, there are four huge Northampton flags being waved on the pitch to my right.

The crowd isn't even full yet but the fans are in full voice as the teams are read out and the players are about to emerge for this semi-final.