Northampton Saints 40-17 Leicester Tigers: Saints all but secure Gallagher Premiership play-off spot with big win
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Updated 20/04/2024 at 17:16 GMT
There were two reasons to smile for Northampton Saints fans at Franklin's Gardens on Saturday afternoon, as their heavy 40-17 Gallagher Premiership win over old rivals Leicester not only put them closer to a season-ending semi-final spot, but also made a big dent in the Tigers' own chances of making the top four. Solomone Kata received a red card as the visitors unravelled in the second half.
Tom James of Northampton Saints dives in for their fourth try during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Northampton Saints and Leicester Tigers at the cinch Stadium at Franklin's Gardens on April 20, 2024 in Northampton, England.
Image credit: Getty Images
Northampton effectively ended Leicester's hope of reaching the play-offs with a blistering second-half display at Franklin's Gardens that enhanced their own chances of securing a semi-final spot.
The Tigers went into half time in front but the Saints scored two tries early after the restart with Jasper Wiese serving the remaining five minutes more of a sin bin penalty.
Julian Montoya dived over after a lineout for the opening try, but his opposite number Curtis Langdon raced down the left wing to put the Saints in front shortly after the break.
A penalty try was then awarded for a knock-on from Jamie Shillcock, which also saw the Tigers full back given a yellow card.
Wiese scored a second try for the visitors, after another lineout take from Ollie Chessum, but after Solomone Kata was red-carded for a head collision with Fraser Dingwall, the Saints then blew their opponents away with Robbie Smith scoring from a driving maul of their own.
There was then time for Fin Smith to set up a try for George Hendy and kick a drop goal in an exhilarating 17-minute cameo, and Tom James to add another.
The win sees the Saints extend their lead at the top of the Premiership to seven points, while the Tigers remain seventh.
Talking Point - Saints look ready to end season in style
Northampton were put to the test in the first half as Leicester's aggressive pack and stiff defence saw them behind at the break, but the burst of attacking rugby in the second half was one which few Premiership sides would be able to handle.
They were certainly helped by indiscipline from Leicester as Jasper Wiese and Jamie Shillcock's yellow cards and then Solomone Kata's red meant they had a man advantage for half of the match - though the Tigers are renowned as one of the Premiership's best sides when a man down.
Not many sides could still forge a lead with the luxury of resting Fin Smith and Tommy Freeman for over three-quarters of the match, but when they came on, and George Furbank went back to full back, they just looked so in sync and hard to play against.
They are a fortnight away from facing the ultimate club rugby challange of an 82,000 away crowd at Leinster but this does not look a side to be overawed by such an occasion.
With the business end of the season upon us and qualification for the top-four all-but sealed, they are just a few wins away from ultimate glory - and if they do it, they will do it in style.
Player of the Match - Alex Mitchell (Northampton)
There were a number of fine performers on show. Julian Montaya and Jasper Wiese were fine performers for the Tigers, but Mitchell took control after the break when Northampton forced themselves in front. Then, when the stars outside him came onto the field, he put his foot on the accelerator so his side could attack at full speed and kill the contest.
Player Ratings
Northampton Saints: Ramm 7, Hendy 7, Litchfield 6, Dingwell 7, Seabrook 6, Furbank 7, Mitchell 8*; Waller 7, Langdon 7, Millar Mills 6, Moon 6, Mayanavanua 6, Coles 7, Ludlam 7, Augustus 7.
Subs: Freeman 8, James 7, Haffar 6, Davison 6, Lockett 6, Smith 8, Graham 6.
Leicester Tigers: Shillcock 5, Steward 5, Kelly 6, Kata 5, Hassell-Collins 5, Van Poortvliet 6; Cronin 7, Montoya 8, Cole 7, Wells 7, Chessum 7, Carnduff 6, Reffell 6, Wiese 7.
Subs: Hurd 6, Clare 6, van Wyk 6, Brown 6, Youngs 6, Hatherell 6, Cokanasiga 6.
Match Highlights
10' TRY! NORTHAMPTON 0-5 LEICESTER (MONTOYA) The Tigers skipper touches down after Leicester drive to the line following Chessum catching the line out.
36' YELLOW CARD FOR WIESE Now the Saints have the advantage and may be behind shortly.
43' TRY! NORTHAMPTON (LANGDON) 11-10 LEICESTER Great pace from Langdon racing down the left wing. Dingwell with a delayed pass to Ramm and he quickly got it out to the #2 who could not be caught.
46' TRY! NORTHAMPTON (PENALTY TRY) 18-10 LEICESTER Knock on from Shillcock two metres from the line is penalised for blocking a try-securing pass.
56' TRY! NORTHAMPTON 18-15 LEICESTER (WIESE) Chessum dows brilliantly to take the line out at the second attempt after an awkward first gather and then Wiese bursts onto the ball and drives over the line. And now they have they have 15 vs 15.
61' KATA IS RED-CARDED He crashes into Dingwell and the head-on-head collision is punished with a maximum penalty.
64' TRY! NORTHAMPTON (SMITH) 25-17 LEICESTER A driving maul from the line out ends with substitute Smith waiting patiently before diving over.
67' TRY! NORTHAMPTON (HENDY) 30-17 LEICESTER A scintillating line break and then off load from Fin Smith to Freeman and then the ball is passed wide to Hendy who walks in for a try.
73' TRY! NORTHAMPTON (JAMES) 37-17 LEICESTER A cynical foul on Freeman after he kicked forward but Ramm's tackle sets up James for a try with almost his first touch.
Key Stat
- 28 - This was a record 28th appearance in an East Midlands derby for Alex Waller who may have been playing his last game at Franklin's Gardens.
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