Northampton 0 Leicester 33

A humiliating drubbing for last season’s champions. It was always going to be a tough defence for Phil Dowson’s side after the loss of their totemic veterans Courtney Lawes, Lewis Ludlam, Alex Waller and Alex Moon from last year’s pack.

But even with Alex Mitchell and Tommy Freeman, two of the stars of England’s Six Nations campaign rested, and Ollie Sleightholme unavailable because of injury, the flatness and inaccuracy of their performance was alarming.

Not even a doughty cameo from Henry Pollock could bring any relief. Instead it was Leicester who looked like a side with something to prove. There may be issues within Michael Cheika’s coaching staff, but here they fully justified their reputation as a side capable of being in the mix for the title come the semi-finals.

In contrast Northampton’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals have been all but extinguished. This was their seventh defeat from 12 rounds, and Dowson’s side languish in eight place.

Fin Smith looked tired, both physically and mentally, from his exertions with England, while Fraser Dingwall failed to make the same impact he had done for Steve Borthwick’s side.The standard of the contest may be miles off what we saw in the Six Nations last weekend, but you have to admire Leicester’s ruthlessness.

The damage was done within the first 13 minutes, with tries by Adam Radwan, Jack van Poortvliet and Olly Cracknell and with Handre Pollard able to turn the screw by landing three penalties, Saints were outclassed. It was only when Pollock came on that they discovered a bit of bite. The England flanker almost scored with his first touch, a brilliant break from a line-out but was felled just short by Radwan, and crossed again minutes later only for the try to be ruled out when the television match official adjudged that George Hendy, who had a difficult night under the high ball, had knocked the ball on.

Emmanuel Iyogun also saw a try crossed off as he lost control as he reached for the line, but in reality these were all footnotes. Leicester never looked like losing their tight control on the contest. The only surprise was that it took so long to secure the fourth try. Northampton’s miserable evening was capped when Pollock tapped the penalty on his five-metre line, ran across the pitch, threw a pass to no-one and the loose ball was gathered by Charlie Clare, who touched down for the bonus point.

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09:56 PM GMT

Ouch

Just been told that tonight was the first time Saints had been nilled since September 2005 - a 32-0 defeat at... Leicester. And it was also the first time Saints have ever been nilled at the Gardens in the Premiership.

Pain.

— Tom Vickers (@WheresTommyV) March 21, 2025

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09:53 PM GMT

Michael Cheika

From the context of the derby, it was big for us. Personally I learned a lot of how I prepared the team coming out of the autumn internationals as opposed to this time. I had my head on better this time to get us ready. We trained harder, more physical, had much more focus. The Munster game was good for us, they bashed us up a little bit, blew the cobwebs out.

It’s more about match intensity and mindset. If you’re on, and the opposition is slightly off, you can take advantage.

We weren’t as effective in the second half as we wanted to be, but we dug in. We’ve copped a couple of bad beatings with big scorelines this year and that hurts. Make sure you remember those dark times to make sure you have better times in defence in the future.

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09:43 PM GMT

Handre Pollard

Listen, it was great. Derby day is always special. The boys who have grown up here tell us all about it and that’s a special one. For some club legends it might have been their last derby so we wanted to make it a special one for them. We came out the blocks well, then the rain came in and it was a bit of a scrap after that.

We’ve been working on a few things the last few weeks and it was nice to see some transfer. We hang our hats on our kicking game and our defence and the boys did well.

I love these weeks because it comes down to raw emotion, physicality, basics of the game. That’s what gets the job done in these big games.

It’s special. I love this place and playing for Tigers. I have the fondest memories of the last few years. It’s not over yet, still have a few to go, but I’ll really cherish these moments.

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09:39 PM GMT

Jack van Poortvliet

It feels amazing. The nil is almost the most pleasing thing. The boys have worked really hard in the time we’ve been away, especially on defence. To see that pay off is huge and we’re going to take huge confidence from it and keep trying to push on.

It was something we reviewed from the autumn, we didn’t quite get it right when we came back in. Cheik has been amazing, Dave coming in with the defence, Hewat integrating straight back in. We knew exactly what we wanted to do and we’re pleased we executed it.

It’s only one game, we won’t get too far ahead, but we’ll take confidence from it. Big game ahead next week.

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09:37 PM GMT

He’s right

That scoreline in no way flatters Leicester.

— Charlie Morgan (@CharlieFelix) March 21, 2025

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09:35 PM GMT

Sale win 39-15 against Newcastle

Tries from Ford, du Preez, O’Flaherty, McElroy and Bedlow in their bonus-point win.

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09:34 PM GMT

FULL-TIME: Northampton 0-33 Leicester

Time is up and a knock-on ends the contest. That was astonishing. Leicester with that flying start and then adding the late bonus towards the end. Terrible night for Northampton, good control from Leicester. A record derby win for the Tigers.

🐅 DERBY DAY SHUTOUT!#NORvLEI 🏉 #COYT🐯 pic.twitter.com/qLRDIsRn5H

— Leicester Tigers (@LeicesterTigers) March 21, 2025

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09:33 PM GMT

80 mins - Northampton 0-33 Leicester

Final seconds then, and another Northampton handling error. Now up to 26, eight for Leicester. I’m not sure anyone saw this coming, not even Cheika.

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09:31 PM GMT

79 mins - Northampton 0-33 Leicester

Scrum penalty coming now for Leicester to cap off the rout. Pollard finds touch inside Northampton’s half. Big tackle by Pollock on Volavola so Hassell-Collins boots it upfield.

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09:30 PM GMT

77 mins - Northampton 0-33 Leicester

The worst Northampton have played for years. Now 23 handling errors and fans are leaving at a rapid pace.

Liebenberg and Cracknell very good but Van Poortvliet is player of the match.

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09:28 PM GMT

TRY CLARE! Northampton 0-33 Leicester

Leicester, for all they have cruised in this match, still without that bonus-point try. Pollard chips over to Liebenberg and now he can’t offload, spilling it forward before Northampton win a penalty.

What are they doing?! A mad tapped penalty deep in their 22 then goes loose and Clare, the replacement hooker, is over! Pollock threw a dreadful pass and it bounced up perfectly for Clare. Gifted. Pollard converts.

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09:26 PM GMT

73 mins - Northampton 0-26 Leicester

Woodward kicks long... too long. We come all the way back for a scrum. 

Fin Smith with a good half break, wants to offload inside but the support isn’t really there and it goes to ground. Leicester win the ball back and Pollard sends a good touchfinder down the field.

Volavola on for Woodward.

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09:23 PM GMT

71 mins - Northampton 0-26 Leicester

Leicester change a couple of forwards before this scrum, but, Whitcombe is pinged for collapsing. Lineout on their 10-metre line off the top, Pollock not tackled so keeps pumping the legs. Couple of kicks until Hendy overruns a pass from Fin Smith and it goes forward.

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09:20 PM GMT

70 mins - Northampton 0-26 Leicester

Free-kick at the scrum for Leicester who kick long. Seabrook gets thumped by Ilione but then Northampton clear. Good take by Hendy with Steward chasing. Fin Smith chips to the wing for Ramm but the return kick is better, one for Hassell-Collins to chase and potentially slide over for a score, but he knocks on.

Sale are cruising by the way, up 39-10. What an assist from George Ford.

A stunner for @SaleSharksRugby!

George Ford has been at his mercurial best tonight, with a magical assist for Joe Carpenter, who applies the brilliant catch and finish 🙌 pic.twitter.com/wSfOy2Hp3P

— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) March 21, 2025

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09:18 PM GMT

68 mins - Northampton 0-26 Leicester

Youngs on for Van Poortvliet. Cole and Green having a little bit of a chat, all friendly for now.

Northampton have just committed their 20th handling error and there’s a bit of frustration for the first time as the two sides come together.

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09:16 PM GMT

66 mins - Northampton 0-26 Leicester

Leicester, for all their dominance, still without a bonus-point try. Perese comes on for Kata.

Lineout off the top, Cracknell carrying up well. They’re on the edge of Northampton’s 22 and eventually pinged for sealing off after not really going anywhere.

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09:13 PM GMT

63 mins - Northampton 0-26 Leicester

Haffar and Munga on for Northampton.

Short lineout from Leicester works, on the edge of the 22. A bomb from Pollard goes to ground and falls for Northampton. James charged down by Henderson! Hendy gets back to reocover and then Ilione is pinged for coming in the side. Northampton clear.

Now a free-kick for Northampton for closing the gap. Fin Smith kicks high, won back by Pollard.

Hendy claims a Van Poortvliet box kick and gets a big cheer, before Montoya wins a brilliant turnover penalty.

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09:11 PM GMT

61 mins - Northampton 0-26 Leicester

Liebenberg has a third interception! What a game for the flanker, as he puts Leicester on the hunt deep inside Northampton’s 22. In fact Northampton have turned that over, Weimann on at scrum-half clearing to touch for Saints.

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09:10 PM GMT

59 mins - Northampton 0-26 Leicester

Getting ugly now for Hendy, who makes another handling error. That’s 18 now for Northampton compared to about five for Leicester.

Good scrum from Leicester, shifting it to the right looking for Radwan but the pass isn’t quite there. It is wet, hence the dead duck of a pass.

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09:07 PM GMT

57 mins - Northampton 0-26 Leicester

Good movement from Pollock again but it’s another handling error, Hendy knocking on.

Cole is on at tighthead for Heyes, game number 248 in the Premiership for him. Scrum just outside Leicester’s 22.

There is something compelling about Pollock. It seems his time with England during the Six Nations has fast-tracked his development and added another layer to his self-confidence Northampton may be fighting a lost cause, but he seems to be relishing the challenge. It is the mentality of a future Test match animal.

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09:05 PM GMT

57 mins - Northampton 0-26 Leicester

Northampton’s scrum after Leicester fail to use it quick enough. You don’t see them often. James and Pollock try to inject some pace off the scrum but the back-row knocks on.

A blip though from Leicester as Hassell-Collins kicks out on the full.

Henry Pollock has had the expected impact, bringing life to Northampton’s play with one barnstorming break from a line-out that almost resulted in a try. But even he is denied a fairytale script, when George Hendy is rightly adjudged to have knocked the ball on in the build-up to what would be a try by the Saints back row forward.

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09:01 PM GMT

56 mins - Northampton 0-26 Leicester

An odd one, because Pollock is over, but it looked as though Hendy dropped the drop out from Pollard before picking it up and carrying on. The ball did then bounce back behind him over his shoulder... this might take some unpacking.

Forward out of the hands and then backwards, is the verdict. No try. That was Northampton’s 14th handling error.

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08:58 PM GMT

54 mins - Northampton 0-26 Leicester

Iyogun goes quick and drops the ball over the line! Or does he? TMO having a look.

It’s a tight run, Iyogun on his back reaching over the top of his head to try and ground the ball. Doesn’t look as though he got there. Leicester with the drop out.

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08:58 PM GMT

52 mins - Northampton 0-26 Leicester

Another Northampton lineout from a penalty and a bold throw to the tail taken well by Kemeny. But then Odendaal knocks on and Leicester clear again. Northampton are getting more chances though and they have Leicester making a hash of a kick to the corner, Steward and Hassell-Collins getting into trouble and giving away a penalty.

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08:55 PM GMT

52 mins - Northampton 0-26 Leicester

Amazing break from Pollock, that’s what Northampton needed! Radwan does so well to bring him down and he cannot find an offload, with Northampton then trying to go for the line but it looks like a double movement. Very close. Leicester’s lineout.

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08:53 PM GMT

PENALTY POLLARD! Northampton 0-26 Leicester

Knocked over from 27 metres out to add another three onto this large lead.

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08:53 PM GMT

50 mins - Northampton 0-23 Leicester

Leicester with a penalty after Northampton go off their feet. Pollard taking another shot - Leicester still without a try bonus point despite this big lead for so long.

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08:51 PM GMT

48 mins - Northampton 0-23 Leicester

Scrums a bit of a mess on the side between Davison and Nicky Smith. Van Poortvliet makes another sharp break into Northampton’s half but is turned over by a chasing Fin Smith. Attacking lineout for the hosts.

Augustus think he’s through but Northampton are pinged for crossing, which sums up how their night has gone so far.

Pollock comes on for Augustus.

Nothing is going Northampton’s way. Juarno Augustus makes a barnstorming break, carrying the ball in one hand but as he crosses the line he is called back for a penalty to Leicester. The visitors are not too concerned at present at going for the bonus-point score but are ramping up the scoreboard pressure with a third penalty by Pollard. Henry Pollock is sprung from the bench. Can the precocious England star bring some much-needed spark to the Saints?

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08:48 PM GMT

46 mins - Northampton 0-23 Leicester

One of Northampton’s better attacks, Pearson running hard as they reach Leicester’s 22. Up to 10 phases as Smith floats a wide ball to Hendy, but little ground made.

James tries a snipe but loses the ball forward. Leicester’s defence holding up well there.

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08:46 PM GMT

44 mins - Northampton 0-23 Leicester

Good grubber from Hassell-Collins under pressure finds touch near Northampton’s 22. The hosts win the lineout and then get a penalty, Cracknell not rolling away. Touch found inside Leicester’s half.

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08:45 PM GMT

42 mins - Northampton 0-23 Leicester

More of the same territory wise to start the second half with Leicester pinning Northampton back.

What a run that is by Steward but Leicester then waste a kick out wide which goes dead, allowing Northampton to drop out.

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08:44 PM GMT

So you’re saying there’s a chance

Only two teams have ever been 23 points (or more) behind at half-time in a @premrugby match and won the game. Both amazingly in June 2021, when Wasps won 39-36 at London Irish after trailing 10-33 at the break and Harlequins 43-36 semi-final victory at Bristol (5-28 down at HT)!

— Stuart Farmer (@Stu_Farmer) March 21, 2025

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08:42 PM GMT

Teams are back out

Having seen Northampton do a lot of unlikely things in the past couple of years, you never know. But Leicester fully deserve their big lead so far.

Odendaal is on for Hutchinson.

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08:36 PM GMT

Verdict from the ground

A disastrous half for Northampton. They have barely fired a shot, looking well off the pace while Leicester have been purposeful, direct and potent. It is no exaggeration to say that Saints looked shell-shocked, and their desperate attempts to play their way back into the contest have played into Leicester’s hands.

The standard of the contest may be miles off what we saw in the Six Nations last weekend, but you have to admire Leicester’s ruthlessness. They are well worth of their 23-point lead and it is difficult to see anyway back for the home side.

It would be a humbling moment if last season’s champions see their hopes of making the play-offs effectively ended by their east Midlands rivals. 

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08:35 PM GMT

Couple more stats

Northampton have conceded 12 turnovers and made 10 handling errors. Leicester have committed four of each.

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08:33 PM GMT

It’s been a while

The last time that @LeicesterTigers held @SaintsRugby scoreless in a first-half at Franklin's Gardens was in September 1988, 16-0. Leicester won that one 30-19.

— Stuart Farmer (@Stu_Farmer) March 21, 2025

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08:31 PM GMT

Half-time score from Newcastle

And Sale are in front, leading 27-10 at the break. Tom Roebuck looking sharp again after his try for England in Cardiff.

Tom Roebuck taking names again!

Rob du Preez applies the finish for @SaleSharksRugby after a brilliant run, 360 turn and offload from Roebuck 😮#GallagherPrem | #NEWvSALpic.twitter.com/QskDcMZEAn

— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) March 21, 2025

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08:28 PM GMT

HALF-TIME: Northampton 0-23 Leicester

Leicester take their time, chewing the clock into the red, and it’s played quickly off the top and put into touch by Van Poortvliet. Northampton scoreless at the break! Who saw that coming? Leicester well worth their commanding lead after tries from Radwan, Van Poortvliet and Cracknell.

J. V. P.

The @LeicesterTigers scrum-half does it all himself against the noisy neighbours 😤

Watch live on @rugbyontnt 📺#GallagherPrem | #NORvLEIpic.twitter.com/pThH3xipTa

— Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) March 21, 2025

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08:27 PM GMT

39 mins - Northampton 0-23 Leicester

Crowd doing their best to lift Northampton before the break. They have the ball, around halfway. Smith kicks high, good height but Leicester win it back and then pin Northampton back again with a Van Poortvliet box kick.

Rare error from Steward overruning a high kick, and Hutchinson bangs a touchfinder deep into Leicester’s 22. They will try now to pressure the away lineout.

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08:24 PM GMT

37 mins - Northampton 0-23 Leicester

That’s another good-looking Northampton scrum but Leicester come away with it and kick clear. Langdon trying to return and does well for a moment, but the ball is in touch. Off a Leicester player apparently, Northampton’s lineout.

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08:22 PM GMT

36 mins - Northampton 0-23 Leicester

Northampton scrum penalty! It’s on Nicky Smith for collapsing, the hosts needed that. Lineout from halfway, trying to lift the tempo to get something before the break.... but they knock on. Leicester could not have dreamed of a better half.

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08:20 PM GMT

34 mins - Northampton 0-23 Leicester

Another Northampton knock-on, giving Leicester a scrum in a threatening position. Pollard chips high over to Hassell-Collins and that’s spoiled by Hendy but did not go forwards. Steward does however knock on in a big tackle.

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08:18 PM GMT

PENALTY POLLARD! Northampton 0-23 Leicester

From a central position the Springbok chips that over. Northampton need some territory, fast.

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08:17 PM GMT

30 mins - Northampton 0-20 Leicester

Northampton trying to play out of their half and it backfires with another breakdown penalty, think that may have been Heyes. Pollard going for the posts again.

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08:15 PM GMT

PENALTY POLLARD! Northampton 0-20 Leicester

Curls that in nicely inside the right-hand post. The champions in real bother here. Northampton knock on chasing the restart.

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08:14 PM GMT

27 mins - Northampton 0-17 Leicester

Better pressure from Northampton’s defence, forcing Leicester back, so Van Poortvliet kicks. That’s too long and Hendy calls an easy mark.

Couple of kicks with Steward doing really well under the high ball, and then Leicester get a penalty for Hutchinson having his hands in the ruck. Pollard will have a shot.

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08:10 PM GMT

24 mins - Northampton 0-17 Leicester

Hassell-Collins with a threatening run but Northampton responds with a breakdown penalty. Now they go wide quickly, Hendy doing really well to offload to Ramm despite losing his balance. Seabrook cuts infield but then knocks on, one of their best chances so far. In fact it’s a Leiester penalty, Steward with the turnover, so Pollard clears.

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08:08 PM GMT

21 mins - Northampton 0-17 Leicester

A big win for Northampton’s defence as Heyes is knocked back in a double tackle. Scrum for Northampton about 10 metres from their line, and they win a free-kick for Leicester driving early before clearing.

It is critical that Northampton score next to give themselves some sort of foothold in this contest, otherwise it is in danger of escaping their grasp before the half is up. Two more penalties by Handre Pollard has just extended the lead to 23 points and alarmingly for the home side, they are struggling to get into Leicester’s 22, and they are lacking precision and intensity in their attacking game. The Tigers are the side playing with a ruthless instinct. 

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08:07 PM GMT

20 mins - Northampton 0-17 Leicester

Hendy battling to make something happen but then Ramm is turned over at the breakdown, and Leicester go back to the corner. A first-half bonus point? That would be a shock.

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08:05 PM GMT

18 mins - Northampton 0-17 Leicester

Head injury assessment means Ilione is on for Henderson. Here’s Gavin Mairs at the ground.

Northampton may have been the cornerstone of England’s impressive Six Nations flourish, but perhaps they are paying the price here. Leicester have crossed for three tries in the first 13 minutes, and with alarming ease. Saints started brightly but have lost possession too easily and Leicester have struck with ease with tries by Adam Radwan, Jack van Poortvliet and Olly Cracknell. A defeat tonight for Saints and any hopes of reaching the play-offs are all but extinguished. Fin Smith and Fraser Dingwall look bewildered.

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08:02 PM GMT

15 mins - Northampton 0-17 Leicester

Obviously, Northampton have the skill to pull this back, but this is a big hole to dig out of already. Pearson at fault for a couple of the scores.

Sale are off to a good start at Newcastle, leading 10-0:

It's a strong start for @SaleSharksRugby who race off to a 10-0 lead thanks to a try from prop Bevan Rodd, who turns on the gas to finish 🔥#GallagherPrem | #NEWvSALpic.twitter.com/Q6rxYGk6lp

— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) March 21, 2025

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07:59 PM GMT

TRY CRACKNELL! Northampton 0-17 Leicester

Way, way too easy. Leicester set up for the maul but peel quickly and Northampton’s defence is nowhere, a slip leaving Cracknell with a one-on-one with Smith which the No 8 is always going to win. What a start from Leicester. Pollard surprisingly doesn’t convert.

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07:57 PM GMT

13 mins - Northampton 0-12 Leicester

All the early ball and field position for Northampton but they’re down by a dozen.

Again Northampton are too loose in possession and turn it over, with Leicester kicking long. Seabrook with Radwan chasing runs into trouble and is bundled into touch. Promising position for Leicester.

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07:55 PM GMT

TRY VAN POORTVLIET! Northampton 0-12 Leicester

Not the most convincing of Northampton lineouts, with a lot of movement before a scrappy low throw, but they do get it back. And then knock on. Leicester’s scrum deep in their half.

Good drive from Leicester but we reset. Another good drive and they earn a penalty. Kata carries up well and Van Poortvliet is through! Brilliant chip and it bounces perfectly for him, what a solo try! Pollard converts.

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07:52 PM GMT

7 mins - Northampton 0-5 Leicester

Incredibly, Liebenberg comes up with another interception. Northampton though respond by winning a breakdown penalty, Langdon getting over Pollard. Smith to touch inside the Leicester 22.

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07:50 PM GMT

TRY RADWAN! Northampton 0-5 Leicester

Northampton calm things down and James finds touch with a box kick, but Leicester have a good attacking position from this lineout.

Instead they lose ground, Van Poortvliet putting up a box kick which Hassell-Collins takes well. Now Leicester move wide to the right and Radwan is over!

Quick ruck ball, Woodward’s drifting run creates the space outside and Radwan is too quick out there to be stopped. Try for the former Newcastle wing. No conversion from Pollard out wide.

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07:48 PM GMT

3 mins - Northampton 0-0 Leicester

Ominous signs for Leicester as Northampton start fast, big runs from Ramm and Augustus and then a penalty. Northampton go quick, five metres out.

Leicester’s defence holding for now and then Dingwall throws an interception to Liebenberg! Kicked on by the back-row, Northampton forced to scramble back deep into their own 22.

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07:46 PM GMT

Kickoff!

Smoke clearing after plenty of fireworks, and we’re off in the East Midlands derby.

It’s an instant penalty as well against Leicester for blocking the chaser, Smith sends it to the corner...

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07:44 PM GMT

Final word before kickoff on Leicester’s Ollie Hassell-Collins

Having a great season, with seven tries so far in the league and another in England ‘A’s win over Ireland ‘A’ last month too.

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07:39 PM GMT

Reminder of the teams

Northampton Saints: 15 George Hendy, 14 James Ramm, 13 Fraser Dingwall (c), 12 Rory Hutchinson, 11 Tom Seabrook, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Tom James; 1 Emmanuel Iyogun, 2 Curtis Langdon, 3 Trevor Davison, 4 Temo Mayanavanua, 5 Tom Lockett, 6 Josh Kemeny, 7 Tom Pearson, 8 Juarno Augustus

Replacements: 16 Henry Walker, 17 Tarek Haffar, 18 Luke Green, 19 Alex Coles, 20 Chunya Munga, 21 Henry Pollock, 22 Jonny Weimann, 23 Burger Odendaal

Leicester Tigers: 15 Freddie Steward, 14 Adam Radwan, 13 Solomone Kata, 12 Joseph Woodward, 11 Ollie Hassell-Collins, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Jack van Poortvliet; 1 Nicky Smith, 2 Julian Montoya, 3 Joe Heyes, 4 Cameron Henderson, 5 Harry Wells, 6 Hanro Liebenberg, 7 Tommy Reffell, 8 Olly Cracknell

Replacements: 16 Charlie Clare, 17 James Whitcombe, 18 Dan Cole, 19 Côme Joussain, 20 Emeka Ilione, 21 Ben Youngs, 22 Ben Volavola, 23 Izaia Perese

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07:38 PM GMT

Leicester’s Michael Cheika on TNT

We know Northampton have a championship behind them last year, a team full of internationals who have just had a successful campaign, and we’re on their turf. It’s a great challenge.

We planned out [the break] pretty well. Came back and worked real hard in training, had a nice game against Munster to blow the cobwebs out. We feel like we’re ready for the contest.

On his future:

It was always the plan as far as I’m concerned, I don’t think it makes any difference whatsoever. My desire to win has not changed whether I’m going to be here or not and I don’t think the players think any differently. We have built a good connection through the season so far. It’s been business as usual, with maybe a bit more edge with some important games coming up.

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07:31 PM GMT

Northampton’s Phil Dowson on TNT

On so many Northampton players featuring for England:

Tremendously proud, it was incredible, particularly in one game having five of the seven players in the backline. There were others on the outskirts as well - Curtis Langdon, Rory Hutchinson - who were knocking on the door as well, training hard and getting good reports from camp.

The run-in:

I haven’t looked at the fixture list beyond this evening. We’re going pretty hard this evening, obviously we have to rest players with the England legislation. We know the situation we’re in, we’re not happy about it and we need to start taking some action on that front.

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07:18 PM GMT

Work to do for Northampton to make the top four

Here is what the TNT Sports crew make of their chances.

"We saw Bristol do it last year..."

Will Northampton Saints be making the top four this year?

Austin Healey and Brian O'Driscoll discuss their chances ⤵️#GallagherPrempic.twitter.com/jpikU2kbzj

— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) March 21, 2025

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07:14 PM GMT

Big weekend too for the Women’s Six Nations

That gets underway on Saturday with Ireland hosting France at 1pm. Here is our guide to the tournament.

Some bonus content? Check out our exclusive interview with the biggest name in the game at the moment, Ilona Maher.

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07:10 PM GMT

One other game in the Premiership this evening

Bottom club Newcastle Falcons are at home to seventh-placed Sale Sharks, with the visitors needing a win to close the gap to the top four.

Lots of concerns this week regarding Newcastle’s future, as Telegraph Sport reported earlier this week.

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07:02 PM GMT

Leicester kicked off the last derby with this nifty trick play

You don't see that every day 😱@LeicesterTigers' Freddie Steward opens the scoring in the East Midlands derby with this trick play 🪄

Watch live on @rugbyontnt 📺#GallagherPrem | #LEIvNORpic.twitter.com/b36y1QrMNK

— Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) October 12, 2024

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06:45 PM GMT

Welcome

Evening everyone. This should be a fun way to kick off Derby Weekend in the Gallagher Premiership, as Northampton Saints welcome their local rivals Leicester Tigers to the cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.

A handful of England internationals are back in action for both clubs, with Fin Smith leading Northampton’s backline following an impressive run of starts in the Six Nations. He is joined by England centre Fraser Dingwall, who captains the side, while last week’s England debutant, Henry Pollock, is named on the bench after his two tries against Wales.

One player not featuring for Northampton is Ollie Sleightholme, who is expected to miss the rest of the season having undergone ankle surgery after picking up an injury in training with England ahead of facing Wales.

Leicester meanwhile welcome back England internationals Freddie Steward, Jack van Poortvliet and Joe Heyes, while Wales flanker Tommy Reffell also returns to their back row to make his 100th start for the club.

Always tricky for teams to manage that long block between fixtures, with Leicester facing Munster in a friendly last week in what was their first bit of match action since the middle of February. Northampton on the other hand last played in the Premiership Rugby Cup against Ealing back on March 1.

Leicester were the victors when the two sides first met in the Premiership back in October, winning 24-8 thanks to tries from Freddie Steward, Olly Cracknell and Ollie Chessum before Tommy Freeman’s late consolation score for Northampton.

Northampton’s home record however is impressive. According to statistician Stuart Farmer, the Saints’ only defeat in their last fifteen home games at cinch Stadium in Premiership Rugby was to Gloucester in November. Leicester Tigers have won just once in the last five rounds of Gallagher Premiership Rugby - 28-15 at home to Exeter in Round 10 - have not won away from home in Premiership Rugby since their trip to Saracens in Round 6.

Build-up coming your way over the next hour.

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