Thomas Castaignede's 18-month injury lay-off finally came to an end yesterday. But he was unable to inspire relegation-haunted Saracens as Northampton bounced back from last Saturday's Powergen Cup disappointment - when they were easily beaten by London Irish 38-7 at Twickenham. The Frenchman came off the substitutes' bench for the final quarter with Saints leading 47-13.
He was left with a slight limp at the end but showed no other ill effects from the surgery he underwent in November 2000 to repair a ruptured tendon.
He converted two late tries from Sarries as they vainly attempted to collect a vital bonus point, but the fourth try eluded them.
Northampton, who had left England internationals Matt Dawson and Steve Thompson on the bench, took only three minutes to open their account with a try from full-back Nick Beal.
Two penalties from fly-half Paul Grayson put them 13-3 up after 13 minutes, although there was brief hope for a badly under-strength Saracens when winger Tom Shanklin scored the first of his two tries in the 26th minute. Smith's conversion, on top of two earlier penalties, drew the scores level.
However, the Midlanders, who had put 58 points past Gloucester in their last Premiership outing, then raced away with it.
England wing Ben Cohen, hooker Dan Richmond, centre John Leslie and wing- forward Mark Sodan all crossed to continue the Saints' push for a top-four finish. It was Cohen's second try in two games - a positive sign with a summer tour of Argentina looming.
The points dried up, however, and Saracens scored two late tries through prop Luke Harbut and Shanklin, but just could not manage an all-important fourth.
Northampton: Beal, Brooks, Jorgensen (Tucker 64), Leslie, Cohen, Grayson (Moir 78), Malone (Dawson 58), Smith, Richmond (Thompson 53), Morris (Stewart 54), Phillips, Brouzet , Soden, Pountney, Seely (Brenton 70, Hunter 72).
Tries: Beal, Cohen, Richmond, Leslie, Soden, Hunter. Cons: Grayson (5). Pens: Grayson (4).
Saracens: Winnan, Sparg, Sorrell, Johnston (O'Mahoney 40), Shanklin, Smith (Castaignède 64), Walshe (Hampson 78), Harbut (Durant 77), Cairns (Russell 40), Durant (Broser 50), Benazzi (Hooper 62), Roche, Chesney (Peacey 63), Roques, Russel.
Tries: Shanklin (2), Harbut. Cons: Smith, Castaignede (2). Pens: Smith (2)
Referee: Roy Maybank (RFU)
Attendance: 8,429
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