Northampton Saints kept their Prem Rugby Cup semi-final ambitions intact with a commanding 39-19 victory over East Midlands rivals Leicester Tigers at Franklin’s Gardens. The youthful Saints produced a seven-try display to hand the holders a third straight Pool B defeat and extend their own home winning streak to 16 matches in all competitions.
Fast start and a costly injury
Northampton’s evening began brightly but came at a cost. Already missing England scrum-half Alex Mitchell and Archie McParland through injury, the Saints lost a third number nine when Jonny Weimann limped off in the 29th minute. The 20-year-old, who captained the side, had been instrumental in the opening two tries: first a long pass sent full-back James Martin over in the 11th minute, then a cross-kick found wing Tom Rowe five minutes later.
England Under-18 scrum-half Sonny Goode came off the bench and delivered an assured performance, underlining Northampton’s depth at the position. By half-time, the hosts had built a 27-7 lead, with Rowe, wing Amena Caqusau and centre Toby Thame all crossing. Caqusau’s sharp finish on 36 minutes secured the bonus point, and Rowe’s second on the stroke of the interval gave Saints a 20-point cushion.
Second-half control
The momentum continued after the break. Martin grabbed his second from another cross-kick in the 46th minute, and Caqusau added his second after good approach work from Goode, with Leicester wing Adam Radwan in the sin-bin. The Tigers, well beaten, managed three tries through hooker Sam Moli (two) and back-row Osian Thomas, but they never threatened a comeback.
For Northampton, the win provided a measure of revenge after a heavy defeat at Mattioli Woods Welford Road a fortnight earlier. The result leaves Leicester bottom of Pool B, while Saints’ hopes of reaching the last four remain alive.
Sale edge Bristol in Pool A thriller
In Pool A, Sale Sharks moved to the top with a tense 21-19 win over Bristol Bears at the CorpAcq Stadium. Arron Reed, playing at full-back, scored two tries, and Alex Wills added another. Bristol responded through two tries from Max Pepper after hooker Totoa Auvaa had opened their account. Sam Worsley had a chance to win it for the Bears four minutes from time, but his long-range penalty fell short.
