Premiership table toppers. For the first time, those three words can be used to describe Saracens and they have never sounded so good. There may be no silverware to show for such a feat, but it shouldn't be underestimated just how much of an achievement it is. It is a sign of consistency, something Sarries have often struggled with in the past. It also shows off the rotation policy at its finest; even with the chopping and changing that often took place, the Men in Black still ended up top of the pile.

The season is far from over however. In some aspects it is only just starting. Finishing top of the league as nice as it is will mean a huge amount more if it is followed up with a win at Twickenham on May 25. Standing in the way of Saracens and their third final appearance in four years are fierce rivals Northampton Saints. A relationship that is as fiery off the field as it is on it, it promises to be a clash of seismic proportions.

Saints have become somewhat of the league's nearly men having reached the play off stage for the fourth year running but yet to grace the final. There are some big name players heading for the exit at Franklins Gardens, most notably their formidable prop duo of Mujati and Tonga’uiha. They will be desperate to send off their departing players on a high. Then there is an element of revenge, Saints grabbed themselves a home semi-final back in 2010 and looked on course to reach the showpiece event, and then they met a Saracens team on a roll and with a point to prove. Sarries ended their play-off dreams and Jim Mallinder’s men will be hoping they can do the same in return on Sunday.

With the club being situated in a rugby town, the expectation and excitement levels will be high this week, no doubt spurring the team on. However, Sarries have the Allianz Park factor, Northampton have never visited this ground before and as well as their first contact with the artificial surface it will be a great opportunity to show off the new home. A warm welcome is not always received at Franklins Gardens; something that I hope will not be experienced by Saints’ fans in Barnet. Allianz Park seems to have a friendly, party atmosphere on a match day, something that should remain regardless of the opposition.

One individual that will be looking to have an impact on the game is winger Chris Ashton, formerly of the opposition. He left the club under somewhat of a cloud of criticism and there will be no better way for him to round up his first season with a win over his old club. He has seemed to re-ignite his try scoring ability with Saracens of late, including his score against Ulster in the Heineken Cup which not only treated Twickenham Stadium to an ‘Ash Splash’ once again but won him the club’s try of the season award. It is games like these that people sit up and take notice and there would be no finer occasion for Ashton to prove the doubters wrong.

Another chapter of the Saracens/Saints rivalry will be written on Sunday, there will be no love lost of that you can be certain and I for one cannot wait.