By Chris Foy for the Daily Mail
Published: 22:05 BST, 26 May 2019 | Updated: 22:08 BST, 26 May 2019
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Putting aside the discomfort caused by acute facial sunburn, it was a grand occasion for Nick Tompkins on Saturday, as he celebrated becoming a club centurion with a momentous hat-trick.
The 24-year-old centre answered an emergency — captain Brad Barritt was forced off with a hamstring injury — by touching down three times on his 100th appearance for Saracens.
Those tries in the space of 15 minutes just after half time crushed Gloucester’s resistance and ensured the European champions will go to Twickenham on Saturday with an opportunity to defend their Premiership title and earn another Double.
Saracens' Nick Tompkins celebrates scoring their fourth try in their win over Gloucester
Asked about his treble, Tompkins said: ‘It was unbelievable. I will never forget this day.’
Barritt is destined to miss the final against Exeter, which is cruel for