Flood kicks Leicester into a sixth final

In an absorbing tie at Welford Road, Flood proved the difference between the teams in Leicester's 15-6 win over Bath. Saracens, meanwhile, sealed their historic participation after thwarting Northampton in an epic clash at Franklin's Gardens.

Leicester, with Flood back at fly-half, began on the back foot as

Bath full-back Nick Abendanon came close to gathering an intelligent Butch James chip, before hooker Lee Mears broke through in a promising opening from Steve Meehan's side.

And Olly Barkley rewarded that attacking endeavour by claiming the game's first points with a 12th-minute penalty.

Barkley added his second penalty at the end of a gripping opening quarter but Flood got the Tigers on the board with a three-pointer of his own in the 23rd minute.

The hosts pulled level when prop Martin Castrogiovanni won a penalty at a scrum and Flood was successful from around the 40-metre mark.

Leicester began the second half in purposeful mood with Flood and Anthony Allen kicking them deep into Bath territory. And they should have taken the lead after a lovely flip pass when in retreat from Flood saw Alesana Tuilagi find some space, but the Samoa cap failed to find fellow winger Scott Hamilton who was free outside him.

But Flood took full advantage when Castrogiovanni again proved too much for David Flatman to handle at a scrum, bisecting the uprights from 45 metres to give Leicester the lead for the first time.

And he added to his tally again in the 64th minute with his fourth successful penalty.

Further scrum problems followed for the visitors, who were being forced to try and play their way out from deep such was the home side's territorial dominance, and Flood again punished them with eight minutes remaining.

In the other play-off, Glen Jackson's conversion of an injury-time try by hooker Schalk Brits – awarded on the video referee's approval – broke Northampton hearts and sent Saracens to Twickenham on 29 May on the back of 21-19 win.

Jackson also added the extras to earlier tries by full-back Alex Goode and wing Chris Wyles as Saracens held their nerve while Saints imploded during the closing seconds by failing to manufacture a drop-goal chance for Stephen Myler.

Tries in each half by props Soane Tonga'uiha and Brian Mujati, together with three penalties from Myler, looked to have done enough for Northampton.

Tonga'uiha, who was destined to join Saracens next term before agreeing fresh terms with Saints – it sparked a bitter war of words between the clubs – helped pick Northampton up by their boot-laces after being outplayed for much of the contest.

Saracens were a far more adventurous side, but once Saints got a grip up-front and began exerting a vice-like grip through their forwards there seemed no way back for the visitors.

But it wasn't to be for Northampton who were without Scotland international Euan Murray, whose religious beliefs mean he does not play on a Sunday.