Saints on a roll with stunning fightback
LEICESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 18: Fin Smith of Northampton Saints in action during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Leicester Tigers and Northampton Saints at Mattioli Woods Welford Road Stadium on November 18, 2023 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images)
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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