Devastating As Saints March All Over Tigers

DYNAMIC Northampton maintained their strangle-hold over their arch-rivals in the most convincing manner possible.

- Rob Wildman

Victory by five tries to one prompted the Saints fans to taunt: “Who the heck are the Leicester Tigers!”

Saints swept to a fourth successive win in the East Midlands derby through an all-round game that had the Tigers and their six England men panting for breath.

And it was all done with a starting XV that showed three late changes due to injuries to Dan Biggar, Courtney Lawes and Owen Franks.

Instead, James Grayson led the line, kicking four conversions and a penalty, backed up by clinical try scoring and the inspiring running of man-of-thematch Taqele Naiyaravoro.

Northampton’s new centre Matt Proctor scored two and one each came from lock Api Ratuniyarawa, wing Tom Collins and replacement centre Fraser Dingwall.

Northampton’s head coach Chris Boyd, in his under-stated New Zealand way, said: “That was one of our better performances.”