For the Exiles, young English winger Topsy Ojo was the star performer, adding to his try in the league a week before with the first try of the match at Twickenham after just 13 minutes. Ojo would surely have been earmarked for the England Saxons tour to America, but may now find himself elevated to the senior squad. "Topsy took a massive step forward today", said Exiles Director of Rugby, Brian Smith.

For Saracens, it was even closer; Richard Hill in possibly his final match being penalised in the last phase as Saracens tried to manouevre Glen Jackson into dropped goal territory.

Saracens had managed to summon up the same spirit that had seen them dispose of the Ospreys in the quarter-final, with committed performancs across the field, most notably from a quartet of Englishmen, Hill, Adam Powell, Hugh Vyvyan and star performer Richard Haughton.

However, such is the level of competition in the Guinness Premiership that both sides may now struggle to gain qualification for the tournament next year and will hope Bath Rugby win the European Challenge Cup and make sixth place available.

Those defeats for the English teams in the Heineken Cup means that the seventh qualification spot will be awarded to a French team. However, points accumulated to date means five English teams will very likely be in the top 12 seeds next season.

Bath Rugby will play Worcester Warriors in the final of the European Challenge Cup after semi-final wins over Sale Sharks and Newcastle Falcons respectively.

Worcester Warriors coach Mike Ruddock attributed his side's success to the intensity of the Guinness Premiership, adding "It's a very tough league and every game in it is of European Cup standard.

"The contact area and the breakdown are so hugely contested and the analysis is massive as well.

"The people I've spoken to this year say they've seen some of the best rugby in the Guinness Premiership they've ever seen.

"Week-in. week-out, these sides are playing to such a high level and they can compete in Europe because they are able to produce that sort of consistency."

Following results at the weekend, qualification for the Heineken Cup is now far simpler. Six English clubs will qualify, the top four plus the European Challenge Cup Winner. If Worcester Warriors win they will be joined by the fifth placed team in the Guinness Premiership and if Bath Rugby win it is likely they will be joined by the fifth and sixth placed teams.

Rounding up this weekend's European action, Premier Rugby Chief Executive Mark McCafferty said, "Despite defeat for both our clubs in the Heineken Cup semi-final it has been a great campaign for them both. They represented the Guinness Premiership superbly and played some great rugby in narrowly failing to beat experienced European sides. We also saw a clutch of promising young English players exposed to the rigours of European rugby and put their hands up for selection on the England tour to New Zealand.

"Congratulations must also go to Bath Rugby and Worcester Warriors for coming through an all-English semi-final to reach the final of the European Challenge Cup.

"Our focus now returns to the Guinness Premiership where we have the tightest finish at the top end of the table I think we have ever had. Heineken Cup qualification and a place in the Guinness Premiership semi-final is up for grabs and we look set for two great rounds of rugby with some fantastic match-ups between young English players eager to gain success for their club and claim an England tour place."