In recent years the semi-finals of the English Prem have been a reliable home banker. Not since Harlequins famously overturned a 28-0 deficit to beat Bristol after extra time in 2021 has any away side prospered, and that trend continues. Northampton are into next week’s final after a ripper of an East Midlands derby that reflected well on all involved.
A first half-hat-trick by the Saints centre Tom Litchfield ultimately gave the hosts the edge in a frequently see-sawing encounter. It was a breathless game from start to finish, reflecting a campaign in which attack has frequently held sway, and it was only when their young scrum-half Archie McParland touched down his side’s sixth try with 15 minutes remaining that the balance of power appeared to have shifted decisively.
Even then there was still time for Leicester to claw their way back through Ollie Hassell-Collins before the soon-to-depart George Furbank put the game to bed with his second try of a still, dry evening. It all made for fabulous entertainment and, on this evidence, English club rugby is in better shape than the financial numbers frequently suggest.
The 262nd edition of the East Midlands derby was also notable for some other excellent individual performances. Northampton’s England contingent all showed up well, with Henry Pollock constantly involved, while Ollie Chessum and Tommy Reffell were persistent menaces for Tigers. The game contained 12 tries in all, seven of them to Saints, and every single spectator present had more than their money’s worth.
Motivation was never going to be in short supply on either side. Saints may have finished on top of the regular-season table but suddenly that felt like a sepia-tinted memory. Love or loathe the playoff concept, the atmosphere inside the ground felt as intense as any final with the local Shoe Army in particularly raucous mood.
The noise levels cranked up further when Northampton capped a blistering start with a second minute try from the ever-improving Litchfield, who spotted a midfield gap and gleefully took it. Give them quick ball and Saints can be irresistible.
Leicester, though, are nothing if not effective when opportunity knocks. Twice they camped themselves deep in the Saints 22 and twice they came away with close-range tries, the first from a burrowing Hanro Liebenberg and the second from a stretching Freddie Steward, crashing through Archie McParland’s tackle. At 12-7 after barely a dozen minutes it was already a stirring contest.
Just as Tigers’ confidence was growing, however, they were caught by a couple of quickfire sucker punches. Searle and Steward made a collective muddle of dealing with a Rory Hutchinson grubber kick to allow Litchfield to pounce for his second and then, from a smart Smith chip ahead, a fingertip finish by Freeman gave Saints a second handy bonus within five minutes.
The next score felt like it would be psychologically important and, momentarily, it appeared Northampton had grabbed another. With nothing much on, Freeman chipped the cover, regathered the bouncing ball and fed a swallow-diving Pollock. Unfortunately for the hosts, Freeman’s pass had drifted fractionally forward, allowing Tigers off the hook.
Up the other end, the visitors duly went and scored themselves, Searle’s cross-kick setting up Hassell-Collins to finish strongly past Freeman on the left. It said a good deal for Saints’ character, consequently, when they came again and Litchfield just made the line for his third try before the Tigers’ cavalry could intercept him.
It made the third quarter absolutely crucial, with Northampton’s backs keen to make further inroads. The first 40 minutes had seen eight clean breaks to one in their favour and that trend was soon being extended. No side in the league passes as deftly as the Saints and more slick interplay worked Furbank over for a hugely popular try three minutes after the resumption.
Leicester, now 33-19 down, badly needed something in response and again delivered, this time through the quietly impressive Orlando Bailey. A see-sawing game then saw another twist when a twisting score by Elliot Millar Mills close to the posts was ruled out because George Hendy was adjudged to have knocked the ball on in the buildup.
It felt almost inconceivable that the pace of the game could be sustained but, equally, no one was prepared to give an inch. And then came a sweet moment of quality, Saints pouring forward again and Tom Pearson feeding Fraser Dingwall whose inside pass gave Furbank plenty of time to release McParland. The skipper’s subsequent second try gave a great game a fitting flourish and sent the Saints marching in to another final.