In recent years the semi-finals of the English Prem have been a reliable home banker. Not since Harlequins famously overturned a 28-0 deficit to beat Bristol after extra-time in 2021 has any away side prospered and that trend continues. Northampton are into next week’s final after a ripper of an east midlands derby that reflected well on all involved.
A first-half hat trick by the Saints’ centre Tom Litchfield ultimately gave the hosts the edge in a constantly see-sawing encounter. It was a breathless game from start to finish, reflecting a campaign in which attack has frequently held sway, and it was only when the young scrum-half Archie McParland collected his side’s sixth try with 15 minutes remaining that the balance of power appeared to shift decisively.
Even then there was still time for Leicester to claw their way back through Ollie Hassell-Collins before the soon-to-depart George Furbank put the game to bed with his second try of a still, dry evening. It all made for fabulous entertainment and, on this evidence, English club rugby is in better shape than the financial numbers frequently suggest.
The 262nd edition of the east midlands derby was also notable for some other excellent individual performances. Northampton’s England contingent all showed up well, with the effervescent Henry Pollock making 26 carries, while Ollie Chessum and Tommy Reffell were persistent menaces for Tigers. The game contained 12 tries in all, seven of them to Saints, and every single spectator present had more than their money’s worth.
Love or loath the playoff concept the atmosphere inside the ground felt as intense as any final with the local ‘Shoe Army’ in particularly raucous mood and Leicester’s Geoff Parling acknowledged the outcome was tough to take. “It was the hardest speech I’ve ever had to give in the changing room afterwards,” said Parling, describing himself as “devastated and proud”.
His counterpart Phil Dowson admitted to a touch of relief but singled out Pollock’s efforts for particular praise. “I thought he was excellent,” said Dowson, suggesting the flanker was maturing by the week in addition to his obvious talent. “His power is nuts and his ability to beat players with his speed and understand when and when not to pass the ball is outstanding.”
Litchfield also had a night to remember, opening the scoring after just two minutes. Leicester, though, hit back with two rapid close-range tries, the first from a burrowing Hanro Liebenberg and the second from a stretching Freddie Steward, crashing through McParland’s tackle. At 12-7 after barely a dozen minutes it was already a stirring contest.
Northampton Furbank; Freeman, Litchfield (Dingwall 57), Hutchinson, Hendy (Langdon 78); F Smith, McParland (Weimann 78); Iyogun (Fischetti 53), Langdon (Wright 53), Millar Mills (Green 62), Coles (Lockett 77), Prowse (Van der Mescht 62), Kemeny, Pearson (Chick 66), Pollock. Tries Litchfield 3, Freeman, Furbank 2, McParland. Cons F Smith 5.
Leicester Steward; Radwan, Wand (Perese 57), Bailey (Kata 66), Hassell-Collins; Searle, Van Poortvliet (Whiteley 76); N Smith (Van der Flier 45), Blamire (Clare 56), Heyes (Hurd 66), Martin (Henderson 73), Chessum, Liebenberg, Reffell, Moro (Cracknell 63). Tries Liebenberg, Steward, Hassell-Collins 2, Bailey. Cons Searle 3.
Referee Luke Pearce
Just as the Tigers’ confidence was growing, however, they were caught by a couple of quickfire sucker punches. Billy Searle and Freddie Steward made a collective muddle of dealing with a Rory Hutchinson grubber kick to allow Litchfield to pounce for his second and then, from a smart Fin Smith chip ahead, a fingertip finish by Tommy Freeman gave Saints a second handy bonus within five minutes.
The next score felt like it would be psychologically important and, momentarily, it appeared that Northampton had grabbed another. With nothing much on Freeman chipped the cover, regathered the bouncing ball and then fed a swallow-diving Pollock. Unfortunately for the hosts Freeman’s pass had drifted fractionally forward, allowing Tigers off the hook.
Up the other end the visitors duly went and scored themselves, Searle’s cross-kick setting up Hassell-Collins to finish strongly past Freeman on the left. It said a good deal for Saints’ character, consequently, when they came again and Litchfield just made the line for his third try before the Tigers’ cavalry could intercept him.
It made the third quarter absolutely crucial, with Northampton’s backs keen to make further inroads. No side in the league passes as deftly as the Saints and more slick interplay worked Furbank over for a hugely popular try just three minutes after the resumption.
Leicester, now 33-19 down, badly needed something in response and again delivered, this time through the quietly impressive Orlando Bailey. The game then saw another twist when a twisting score by Elliot Millar Mills close to the posts was ruled out because George Hendy was adjudged to have knocked the ball on earlier in the buildup.
It felt almost inconceivable that the pace could be sustained but, equally, no-one was prepared to give an inch. And then came a sweet moment of quality, Saints pouring forward again and Tom Pearson feeding Fraser Dingwall whose inside pass gave Furbank plenty of time to release McParland. The home skipper’s subsequent second try gave a great game a fitting final flourish and sent the Saints marching in to another final.
