Saracens’ five-try triumph over Exeter Chiefs on Sunday ensured a home tie in the last four of the LV=Cup for the first time in the club’s history, with Mark McCall lauding the phenomenal effort of the side.

The Men in Black have utilised the younger talent within the squad for LV=Cup ties and were rewarded with a 35-18 win over the Chiefs which ensured they won Pool 1 of the competition to set up a home semi-final tie for the first time.

Speaking to the club’s website, director of rugby McCall heaped praised on coach Joe Shaw and his side for their achievement.

He enthused: “It’s been a phenomenal effort. Not just from the coaching staff actually, but from all the staff that have been involved in the team.”

“They are made up from the people who work within our Academy and Joe Shaw has headed that up. He’s done incredible job to build this team within a team. There’s a great energy and a great buzz amongst this side and it is brilliant news that their season has been extended – it’s a very exciting time.

“You enter four competitions at the start of the year, we have done really well in the A-League, we’re in the quarter finals of the European Champions Cup, we are there or thereabouts in the Premiership and now we’re in the final four of the LV=Cup.

"It shows that the foundations of the club are decent and healthy, and this group deserve a huge amount of credit.”

The Ulsterman added: “We’ve chucked a few obstacles their way with some games against Western Province and the Blue Bulls to make it even more difficult, so we have had to borrow a few players from the lower leagues and that kind of thing, and they have just got on with it. They’ve never looked for any excuses and they’ve done brilliantly.”

Victory over the west country outfit was secured thanks to a pair of tries from Nick de Jager, as well as efforts from Matt Hankin, Tim Streather and Catalin Fercu.

Ben Spencer was impeccable with the boot, kicking all five conversions to seal Sarries’ semi-final spot.

Saracens will now host Northampton Saints at Allianz Park on Saturday, March 14, with kick off at 12.30pm.

The second semi-final will be contested by Leicester Tigers and Exeter Chiefs at Welford Road, with the winners to meet at Franklin’s Gardens on Sunday, March 22.