Superior Saints go on 14-try rampage

THE good times keep on rolling at Franklin’s Gardens as Northampton put their Champions Cup heartbreak behind them to secure a home Premiership semi-final with a ruthless demolition of a Gloucester side with one eye on their Challenge Cup final later this month.

- BEN JAYCOCK

Premiership top try scorer Ollie Sleightholme grabbed a hat-trick as Saints recorded their biggest ever domestic victory – this 14-try demolition surpassed the previous club record back in 2014 when Northampton beat Wasps 74-13 and was only six points short of the league’s record – Richmond winning away at Bedford in 1999 106-12.

Scorelines like these are far from ideal for the Premiership but Northampton won’t care one bit, providing a ruthless 80-minute onslaught from the off as the hosts proved superior in every single category.

Timid visitors Gloucester were littered with inexperienced youngsters after only skipper Lewis Ludlow, Josh Hathaway and Freddie Thomas remained from their semi-final victory over Benetton at Kingsholm last weekend.