Northampton …26pts
Tries: Ramm 4, Smith 41, Glister 57, Graham 67 Conversions: Savala 4, 41, 57
Leinster………… 54pts
Tries: Penny 14, McCarthy 16, Turner 25, Penalty 39, Milne 42, O’Tightearnaigh 60, McErlean 64, Prendergast 76
Conversions: Byrne 16, 25, 42; Prendergast 60, 64, 76
Northampton were beaten in their first game since claiming Premiership glory as Leinster secured an impressive pre-season success at Franklin’s Gardens.
The Irish giants scored eight tries as they displayed their ability in attack as well as their resilience in defence.
Northampton managed to notch four tries of their own, with James Ramm, Robbie Smith, Will Glister and Sam Graham on the scoresheet.
But it was a tough defeat for Phil Dowson’s side who lost some big names this summer including Courtney Lawes, Lewis Ludlam and Alex Waller.
Saints head coach Sam Vesty said: “We were trying to do lots of the right things, lots of the actions we wanted to see. We made a lot of mistakes doing those things and that’s not massively a surprise for a first pre-season game.
“Leinster were a bit further ahead in their match prep, and it showed really.
“On the whole, we showed really good intent, we know what we’re trying to do and that’s a real positive.”
Saints made a flying start to their pre-season opener, scoring inside four minutes. Graham made a huge charge, drawing attention and allowing Charlie Savala to show his creativity as he opened the door for onrushing skipper Ramm to dot down.
Savala added the extras but Leinster soon showed their teeth at the other end of the field.
Northampton had thwarted them at two breakdowns before Leinster kicked a penalty to the corner, eventually rumbling over through flanker Scott Penny. And two minutes later, there was an action replay for the visiting pack as hooker Gus McCarthy dived over in the same corner.
It was all Leinster, and after Savala saw his clearance kick charged down and failed to hold on to the loose ball after getting back, centre Liam Turner picked up to score.
Northampton were struggling to get out of their own half, but when they did, Leinster resisted in impressive fashion.
Saints had been sinners during the first half, giving away a series of penalties, and after prop Elliot Millar Mills was yellow carded, Leinster were soon awarded a penalty try by referee Jack Makepeace.
Northampton tried to cut the gap before the break, but Leinster held out to ensure they remained 19 points up at half-time.
Saints came out of the blocks quickly at the start of the second half as replacement hooker Smith showed strength to power over following a maul.
Brave: Tyro wing Will Glister stops No.8 Jack Conan
PICTURES: Alamy
Leinster hit back quickly through Michael Milne and both sides made plenty of changes before wing Glister finished off a Josh Kemeny break and Archie McParland pass in the 57th minute.
Again, Leinster issued a rapid riposte, with lock Conor O’Tighearnaigh going over, and there was a fine try from Henry McErlean soon after as he dived over following a superb offload from Andrew Osbourne.
Northampton grabbed their fourth try when Graham got the ball down from a maul, but Leinster had the final say as Sam Prendergast added his name to the scoresheet.
John McKee was sin-binned before the end, but Saints couldn’t find a final try as Leinster showed their resileince.
TEAMS
NORTHAMPTON: Ramm (c); Glister, Thame, Hutchinson, Seabrook; Savala, McParland; Iyogun, Langdon, Millar Mills, Hunter-Hill, Munga, Kemeny, Pearson, Graham Replacements: R Smith, Wright, Haffar, West, Prowse, Green, Benson, Logan, Scott-Young, Pollock, Weimann, Witheat, Cousins, Va’enuku, Pasco, Baker
LEINSTER: Osborne; O’Brien, Turner, Tector, Russell; Byrne, McGrath; Boyle, McCarthy, Clarkson, Deeny, O’Tighearnaigh, Deegan, Penny, Conan (c) Replacements: McKee, Barron, Milne, Slimani, McGuire, Spicer, Soroka, Culhane, Connors, Foley, Gunne, Prendergast, Byrne, Cooney, McErlean, King
REFEREE: Jack Makepeace
ATTENDANCE: 9,080
