Northampton Saints coach Jim Mallinder has praised his players following their victory over Saracens in the Aviva Premiership semi-finals.
The Saints earned a 27-13 win at the Allianz Park on Sunday to cause a big upset against the favourites.
"They clearly were the favourites today, but the favourites don't always win," Mallinder told the Northampton Herald & Post."
"We've had an up and down season, we've come in for a great deal of criticism along the way and I guess a lot of that is quite rightly.
"The coaches have been criticised and questioned whether they are good enough and the players have just responded."
Northampton will take on Leicester Tigers in the Aviva Premiership final at Twickenham Stadium on May 25.
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