Northampton Saints advance to playoff final after win over Leicester

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Northampton 45-31 Leicester Saints await winners of Bath v Exeter in final 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. Continue reading...