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Tyres NorthamptonThe Saints, fresh from their triumphant Premiership-winning season, were looking to build momentum heading into the new campaign. However, they found themselves on the back foot for much of the match, ultimately succumbing to a 26-54 defeat in a high-scoring encounter.
Despite the defeat, the game was a valuable experience for Northampton, providing them with clear areas for improvement before the Gallagher Premiership opener against Bath.
The Saints made a strong start, getting on the scoreboard within the first four minutes. Captain James Ramm, leading the side on the day, finished off an excellent move sparked by a powerful run from Sam Graham and an intelligent offload from fly-half Charlie Savala. This early score gave the Saints a brief advantage, with Savala adding the conversion to make it 7-0.
However, Leinster quickly found their rhythm and soon began to dominate possession. Their forward pack proved too much for the Saints to handle in key areas, especially in the scrum. Leinster’s first try came from flanker Scott Penny, followed shortly by a second from hooker Gus McCarthy, both the result of well-executed mauls. As Northampton’s discipline began to waver, Leinster capitalized further, with centre Liam Turner and a penalty try giving them a commanding 26-7 lead by half-time.
The Saints’ frustrations were compounded by the yellow card shown to prop Elliot Millar-Mills just before the break, leaving them shorthanded at a crucial juncture.
Despite going into half-time significantly behind, Northampton showed great resilience in the second half. Replacement hooker Robbie Smith got the Saints off to a positive restart, forcing his way over the line from a driving maul, cutting Leinster’s lead slightly.
As the game progressed, both sides traded tries in a more evenly contested second half. Will Glister and Sam Graham added further tries for the Saints, with the latter showcasing his physicality by muscling through Leinster’s defence. Charlie Savala remained consistent with his conversions, keeping the Saints within striking distance. However, each time Northampton made inroads, Leinster responded swiftly.
Leinster’s ability to counterattack and exploit Northampton’s defensive lapses was evident throughout. Conor O'Tighearnaigh and Henry McErlean crossed for further scores, ensuring that the Irish side maintained a comfortable lead. A late try from fly-half Sam Prendergast sealed the game for Leinster, who left Franklin’s Gardens with an emphatic victory.
While the final scoreline was disappointing for the Saints, head coach Sam Vesty took positives from the performance. He praised the team’s intent and highlighted several individual performances, including the efforts of new faces like Will Glister and Archie McParland. Vesty acknowledged that the team made mistakes, particularly in their maul defence and breakdown work, but stressed that these are areas they will focus on improving ahead of the season opener.
The match was a clear indicator that there is work to be done before the Premiership campaign begins, but the Saints remain confident that they will be ready for the challenge. This pre-season fixture, while difficult, provided the team with valuable lessons and an opportunity to integrate new players and strategies.
As they prepare for their next friendly against Bedford Blues, Northampton will look to address their shortcomings and build on the promising moments from this game.
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