Sleightholme leads the Saints fightback

NORTHAMPTON all at sea for the first 30 minutes but all singing and dancing for the remainder of the game - came back from a massive 26-point deficit to end Exeter's long unbeaten run at Sandy Park.

- BRENDAN GALLAGHER

Ollie Sleightholme scored a very classy, pacy, hat-trick and the Saints bench cranked things up exactly on cue after the break but Chiefs will still be wondering how they let this one slip.

As a showcase for the outstanding attacking talent available to England coach Steve Borthwick this could hardly be bettered as the two sides topping the Premiership went to work with a vengeance although on occasions both sides displayed fragile defences. Mind you when a game is played at this relentless pace the cracks are always going to appear. 

Ahead of the game there was much talk about Exeter's merchant speed Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and if he will opt for Wales or England but another couple of players who might be looking at the Six Nations also took the eye with Saints fly-half Fin Smith growing into the game and Alex Coles producing a performance at No 6 worthy of Courtney Lawes. Enough said. England need to start trusting in some of their bristing young talents.