Wed. Nov 6th, 2024
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Saints wing Tom Collins went in at the left corner for the second of his two tries
Saints wing Tom Collins went in at the left corner for the second of his two tries
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.

Northampton stand-off Fin Smith ended up with an individual haul of 21 points
Northampton stand-off Fin Smith ended up with an individual haul of 21 points

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.

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