| Newcastle (5) 5 |
| Try: Radwan |
| Northampton (28) 66 |
| Tries: Mitchell 2, Collins 2, Augustus, Hill, Smith, Graham, Freeman, Ribbans Cons: Smith 8 |
Northampton put the pressure on play-off rivals London Irish as they did a professional demolition job to run in 10 tries at bottom club Newcastle.
Adam Radwan scored for Falcons after four minutes but Saints had a bonus point secured just before the break.
Four first-half tries came from scrum-half Alex Mitchell, wing Tom Collins’ brace and forward Juarno Augustus.
Six more then came after the interval, including one for Fin Smith, who kicked eight conversions for a 21-point haul.
Forwards Paul Hill, Sam Graham and David Ribbans, full-back Tommy Freeman and a second for Mitchell accounted for Saints’ second-half try scorers.
Having now finished their Premiership programme, Northampton’s 11th win of the season moves them level on points with third-placed Leicester.
More importantly, it also lifts Saints seven points clear of fifth-placed London Irish, the only side who can now deny them a place in the play-offs.
Irish now go to leaders Saracens on Sunday, before their final home game on Saturday, 6 May against Exeter Chiefs.
More to follow.
Newcastle: Obatoyinbo; Radwan, Moroni, Orlando, Carreras; B Connon, Young; Mulipola, Blamire, Tampin, Peterson, De Chaves, Rubiolo, Lockwood, Chick.
Replacements: Cade, Brocklebank, Kenny, Van Der Walt, Fearns, Stuart, Penny, Tait.
Sin-bin: Carreras (51)
Northampton: Furbank; Collins, Dingwall, Hutchinson, Freeman; F Smith, Mitchell; A Waller, S Matavesi, Hill, Ribbans, Moon, Lawes, Ludlam, Augustus.
Replacements: Cruse, E Waller, Petch, Salakaia-Loto, Scott-Young, Graham, James, Litchfield.
Referee: Wayne Barnes.