Saints nearly pulled off a European miracle, in front of a tournament record crowd of 82,300, after letting Leinster run away to a 20-3 lead.
Leinster wing James Lowe became the first player to score a hat-trick in the last four of Europe’s top club tournament getting his third on 43 minutes before the game turned on its head.
Tries from wing George Hendy, on the hour, and replacement Tom Seabrook, with five minutes left plus Fin Smith’s nerveless conversion made it a three-point game.
Saints did have claims for a penalty with the clock in the red, which would have taken the game to added time but they were waved away by referee Mathieu Raynal.
But ultimately it was the first half that cost them and left Leinster still on course for a fifth title.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der May 05, 2024-Ausgabe von The Rugby Paper.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der May 05, 2024-Ausgabe von The Rugby Paper.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
New Zealand teams display their strength
NEW Zealand continued their Trans-Tasman dominance with three of the final four teams participating in next weekend's Super Rugby Pacific semi-finals.
Emphatic England demolish Georgia
UNDER-20s Six Nations champions England made a victorious start to their World Championship warm-up matches in Georgia.
Sanderson: We'll come back better
ALEX Sanderson is an ebullient, upbeat character who tries to ride the waves of professional sport with a smile on his face.
Chiefs gunning for champions
REIGNING champions Gloucester-Hartpury have been the league's pacesetters once again and today face an Exeter side determined to make up for last season's final heartache.
Ospreys can't stop Munster marching on
IRELAND star Jack Crowley says Munster must improve as they look to go all the way and retain their URC crown.
Saints stars give credit to Vesty
ALEX Mitchell and George Furbank, two of Northampton's current internationals, have hailed Sam Vesty as the best coach they have worked with.
Callard impressed by Bath coaches
BATH legend Jon Callard believes two of the best signings Johaan van Graan has made as the club's head of rugby are not Finn Russell and Thomas du Toit but the forwards and backs coaches, Richard Blaze and Lee Blackett.
Hotshot Hendy seizes the day
GEORGE Hendy’s ‘Saints Super-sub’ status will be forever etched into Franklin’s Gardens folklore after his magical break eight minutes from time ensured Northampton celebrated the tenth anniversary of their first Premiership title by claiming their second at Twickenham yesterday.
Steward: Sinfield has given me belief
FREDDIE Steward hopes to enjoy some Southern Hemisphere comfort after coming through what he admits has been one of the most “challenging” spells of his relatively short playing career.
Hampson can keep on playing and coaching
CRAIG Hampson has come to an agreement that will allow him to continue playing with Ealing Trailfinders while also remaining as head coach of Chinnor in the Championship.