Seabrook hat-trick as Saints edge a thriller

A STIRRING contest ended in Saints scrambling heroically to gain a last 16 home tie and gallant Munster facing a knockout tie on the road.

- ROB WILDMAN

It was riveting stuff and throughout Northampton hung on after building a lead through three tries from wing Tom Seabrook and one each from hooker Curtis Langdon and full-back James Ramm.

Seabrook gained the man-of-the-match award but there were plenty of candidates including Munster's crafty No.9 Connor Murray and half-back partner Jack Crowley.

Northampton were 1215 down at the interval and gained some control when Seabrook and Ramm scored in quick succession after the interval for a 2415 advantage. However, Munster lived up to their tradition of cup fighters and a try from wing Diarmuid Kilgallen kept them in the contest.

Saints then needed a third try from Seabrook which was the best of his lot, the wing being put clear by a sweetly pass from Rory Hutchinson.