Conor O'Shea accepts Harlequins defeat

Harlequins director of rugby Conor O'Shea has admitted that Saracens deserved their victory over his side in the Aviva Premiership semi-finals.

Quins let a 17-11 half-time lead slip at Allianz Park on Saturday as Sarries reached their first final since 2011 with a 31-17 win.

Despite seeing his players lose control of the match, O'Shea believes that Mark McCall's team are worthy of a shot at the title.

"Saracens are an outstanding side," he told BBC Sport. "I am unbelievably proud of how our guys fought, even at the end.

"If I look back at this season the two best sides are in the final. Ourselves and Leicester fought tooth and nail to get into the playoff positions. But I guess we ran out of a bit of steam."

Saracens will face Northampton Saints in the Aviva Premiership final at Twickenham Stadium on May 31.