Fin Smith kicked 16 points including a drop goal as Northampton marched into the Champions Cup last 16 with a 26-23 fightback win over Munster at Thomond Park to top Pool 3 with a perfect four wins from four.
Saints saw Curtis Langdon sent off on 39 minutes but rallied from 15-7 down at half-time.
Smith, who was last week named in England’s Six Nations training squad, landed a superbly-placed drop-goal in between two penalties and Northampton completed their fightback when Sam Graham went over for a last-minute try that was converted by the impressive Smith.
“A 30-minute masterclass from Fin,” said George Furbank, Northampton’s captain. “But we never felt like we were out of it. We spoke about not shutting up shop completely.”
Harlequins booked a home tie in the last 16 with a seven-try demolition job on Ulster, with replacement wing Louis Lynagh scoring a contender for try of the season. Saracens secured their place with a comeback 39-24 win against Lyon, Maro Itoje scoring twice.
Leicester went down 27-10 to Leinster at Welford Road, leaving them waiting on today’s match between Sale and La Rochelle to confirm their spot in the last 16, while Bristol crashed out.
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