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Northampton edged a Champions Cup classic at the Aviva Stadium as Saints' England stars put in a timely display on the eve of next week's Lions selections.
O'Brien (17'), Flier (25', 58'), Doris (46'), Lowe (69')
Tries
Freeman (7', 35', 37'), Pollock (28'), Ramm (62')
Prendergast (25', 47', 70')
Conversions
Smith (8', 29', 63')
Prendergast (13')
Penalties
Smith (22', 55')
Northampton edged a Champions Cup classic at the Aviva Stadium as Saints' England stars put in a timely display on the eve of next week's Lions selections.
It proved heartbreak for Leinster, a familiar feeling for the Dubliners, as despite the star signing of Jordie Barrett, they came up short once again in Europe's elite competition.
The three previous campaigns ended in narrow losses in the final, but this surprise loss will hurt more than those, given they were such firm favourites.
Northampton's Premiership title defence has been hugely underwhelming but their European dream marches on as Phil Dowson's men caused one of the biggest upsets in Champions Cup knockout history.
This tie had everything: yellow cards, pivotal refereeing decisions, world-class play from some of Europe's elite, while providing agony or ecstasy depending on which team you were affiliated with.
Northampton's rampant start caught Leinster off guard
Fin Smith ran a perfect line to race through the Leinster defence before having the composure and precision to kick through to England teammate Tommy Freeman for the game's opening try.
Sam Prendergast knocked over a penalty in reply before the fly-half unleashed a beautiful loopy pass to pick out try scorer Tommy O'Brien.
Prendergast's floating passes were causing the Saints' defence nightmares in their 22, and the 22-year-old laid the platform for Max Deegan to set up Josh van der Flier in scoring.
The always energetic Henry Pollock ran another perfect line, very similar to Smith's, and cantered up the pitch before rounding Prendergast and finishing like an undercover wing.
Freeman just can't stop scoring, and the winger added two more on the stroke of half time when he profited from quick hands out wide to complete his hat-trick and put the Saints 24-15 ahead at the interval.
The favourites responded in emphatic fashion
Leinster hit back in the second half with Caelan Doris rumbling over off a driving maul, but Northampton's two-score advantage was restored when James Raam touched down.
Swift hands from the home side's backline allowed James Lowe to get on the scoresheet after Josh Kemeny was sent to the sin bin for a high tackle.
A grandstand finish
In a dramatic ending, Lowe fed van der Flier in the corner, and whilst the Ireland flanker powered over Freeman, he couldn't get the ball down as it trickled out of play.
However, Leinster were awarded a penalty as Alex Coles was yellow carded for going in at the side 3m out, but the visitors' herculean effort in defence continued as they turned over possession on their own line and saw out a famous win.
Leinster Rugby Starting XV (1-15) Cian Healy, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, RG Snyman, Joe McCarthy, Max Deegan, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris, Jamison Gibson-Park, Sam Prendergast, James Lowe, Robbie Henshaw, Garry Ringrose, Tommy O'Brien, Hugo Keenan
Leinster Rugby Replacements (16-23) Ronan Kelleher, Andrew Porter, Rabah Slimani, Ryan Baird, Jack Conan, Luke McGrath, Ross Byrne, Jordie Barrett
Northampton Saints Starting XV (1-15) Emmanuel Iyogun, Curtis Langdon, Trevor Davison, Temo Mayanavanua, Alex Coles, Josh Kemeny, Henry Pollock, Juarno Augustus, Alex Mitchell, Fin Smith, Tom Litchfield, Rory Hutchinson, Fraser Dingwall, Tommy Freeman, James Ramm
Northampton Saints Replacements (16-23) Henry Walker, Tom West, Elliot Millar-Mills, Tom Lockett, Chunya Munga, Angus Scott-Young, Tom James, Tom Seabrook
