Although Myler won the Travis Perkins man of the match award in the LV= Cup win over Leicester it was the former All Black who received the warmest ovation of the day from the 13-thousand-strong crowd when he took to the pitch alone to mark his 200th appearance in the black, green and gold.

"What a fantastic achievement for him to play his two hundredth game for the club," the fly half said. "He's been a talisman for this club and I'm happy we could reward him with the win. It's always good to have experience in the squad. The squad is relatively young but we've got a few players who have a lot of experience.

"Bruce is not past his best and puts in performances where you realise what a quality player he is. He's been at the club for over seven years through thick and thin and it shows his commitment to the club, and long may it continue."

Myler has had a 100 percent return from his goal kicking over the past two rounds of the LV= Cup, and while he acknowledged its importance in securing the wins over Sale and Leicester he said that there was much more to the Saints game than that.

"It always helps but it's about more than that," he added. "I can't kick my conversions if we're not scoring tries and I can't kick penalties if we're not earning the right to get them. Our game's not based on just getting goals, we like to play quickly and at tempo and if that wins penalties for us we'll take the points when they're on offer. They've gone over in the past two weeks and it helps to contribute towards the win.

"We're four from four in this competition and to beat Leicester is always special. This has been a big emphasis for the lads who have played the last couple of weeks. Some haven't had a lot of rugby but we've come together well as a team and played as a unit, which is very pleasing.

"We had identified some areas where we could attack Leicester and one of them paid off right at the start of the game. It's always nice to get points on the board early and I'm sure Mr Diggin was happy to stumble over the line!"

Forwards coach Dorian West praised the defensive qualities shown by the Saints team and said that qualifying for a home semi-final was pleasing for the team management.

"Our aim at the start of this competition was to qualify for the semi-finals and we've done that," he told BBC Radio Northampton. "We've won four out of four and have got to be pleased. [A home semi-final] is important. Playing here at Franklin's Gardens in front of our home crowd, who are very passionate and enjoy their rugby, is a good place to be. We're playing up-and-down rugby; some weeks we're really good, some weeks we're a bit of a mixed bag, but we're really pleased to have a home semi-final.

"Leicester had a lot of quality throughout that team today, a lot of good backs who asked us some questions and some experience up front. They were always going to be difficult to beat. We had to defend for long periods and had they taken their chances a bit better it might have been a bit closer. We defended really well and took our opportunities.

"We're really pleased with the players that have come in and are asking a question in selection. It's good to have everybody competing for a place in the team."

Centre Joe Ansbro, who played in both this afternoon's win as well as the Saints' first ever success at Edgeley Park last Friday, said that the players always knew that it would be a difficult game.

"We were right up for the game and knew it was going to be a toughie," he said to BBC Radio Northampton. "We needed to take it seriously and were fired up. We got a great start and then let them back into the game. We closed the game out well in the second half. It was a battle, as it always is against Leicester. They're a great side and we're chuffed with the win.

"It was a character building second half. You run around like a headless chicken sometimes, tackling anything in a Leicester shirt! We've got a home semi-final, which is brilliant. It's still one game at a time though. We got to the semi-final last year and it was a game we could have won. We're back to the Premiership next week but when the cup comes around again we'll be up for it."

The Saints are in Guinness Premiership action against Newcastle Falcons next Saturday afternoon. Kick off at Franklin's Gardens is at 3pm and tickets are on sale now with prices starting from just £15 for juniors and concessions and £24 for adults.

Book online throughout the weekend by clicking here and following the simple instructions!