Leinster make Saints pay for their errors

NORTHAMPTON were beaten in their first game since claiming Premiership glory as Leinster secured an impressive pre-season success at Franklin’s Gardens.

- TOM VICKERS

The Irish giants scored eight tries as they displayed their ability in attack as well as their resilience in defence.

Northampton managed to notch four tries of their own, with James Ramm, Robbie Smith, Will Glister and Sam Graham on the scoresheet.

But it was a tough defeat for Phil Dowson’s side who lost some big names this summer including Courtney Lawes, Lewis Ludlam and Alex Waller.

Saints head coach Sam Vesty said: “We were trying to do lots of the right things, lots of the actions we wanted to see. We made a lot of mistakes doing those things and that’s not massively a surprise for a first pre-season game.

“Leinster were a bit further ahead in their match prep, and it showed really.

“On the whole, we showed really good intent, we know what we’re trying to do and that’s a real positive.”