Northampton Saints vs Newcastle Falcons

Falcons earn a penalty as the ball comes out of the scrum and go quickly. They push forwards and are rewarded with another penalty. Hodgson puts this one into the corner.

Hodgson tries to clear off the back of the scrum but the ball bounces over the dead ball line. We come back for a scrum where he kicked it.

Advantage coming for Falcons as Saints knock on and eventually we come back for the scrum on halfway. 

No conversion from Biggar out wide but Nansen is on the ball and Saints play on again.

Penalty Saints at the scrum after a huge shove from the forwards. Biggar puts it into the corner. 

Coles is replaced by Nansen as we set the scrum. 

Falcons box the ball high and Saints come forwards again. Falcons rip the ball in a tackle but it goes forwards. Scrum Saints. 

Saints think they've score through Augustus in an impressive effort but the TMO chalks it off as the No. 8 is in touch. 

Saints play from their own 22 again and work over the halfway line again quickly. 

Falcons push up into Saints’ 22 but Iyogun strips the ball at the ruck there and Saints play on from deep.

Ratuniyarawa – on his last home appearance for Saints – is replaced by Ribbans as we restart.

Haywood replaces Matavesi as we set the lineout. 

Falcons are pinged for a neck roll at the breakdown on the restart and Biggar puts the ball into touch for a lineout on Falcons’ 22. 

Iyogun, Augustus and Skosan enter play as we restart, with Waller and Hinkley making way. With Skosan replacing Mitchell as the sin bin period comes to an end. 

No conversion from Hodgson out wide but Falcons play on from the restart.

Penalty Falcons at the scrum after a few resets and Hodgson puts it into the corner.

James replaces Dingwall as we set the scrum. 

Falcons push into Saints’ 22 but pass the ball forwards there. Scrum Saints.

Falcons whip the ball wide off the lineout but Saints defend hard and push them back. Hinkley intercepts and races back up to halfway but Falcons get over the ball as it comes back into the midfield. Hodgson sends the resulting penalty to touch for another Falcons lineout.

Penalty Falcons at the scrum as is collapses and Hodgson puts the ball into touch for a lineout just outside Saints’ 22.

Straight out from the restart and Falcons have the scrum on halfway. 

Falcons have a penalty coming from the maul but whip the ball out to the midfield. Hinkley gets over the ball there but we come back for the first penalty and Hodgson puts it back into the corner.

Hodgson puts the ball into the corner for a Falcons lineout there.

Falcons continue to push and though Saints defend hard, Falcons have an advantage coming and eventually we come back for it. 

Falcons push forwards from the scrum before Burrell boots clear. The ball comes off Saints hands into touch and Falcons will have the lineout in Saints’ 22. 

Scrappy at the restart and the ball comes forwards off Saints hands. Scrum Falcons.

Hodgson gets us restart here at the Gardens!

Saints whip the ball wide but the ball bounces too high for Proctor to gather. Falcons hack through and Saints earn a penalty as they get over the ball at the next breakdown. Biggar puts it to touch for a lineout with the last play of the half.

Biggar sends the resulting penalty to touch for a lineout on halfway. 

The TMO intervenes as we set the scrum for a possible punch.

Falcon maul forwards and have another penalty coming as Saints are found offside. Eventually we come back for it and Falcons choose to scrum. 

Saints defend hard but are pinged again and Hodgson puts the ball into the corner this time.

Overthrow from Falcons but McGuigan gets on it. Falcons earn a penalty and tap and go. 

Falcons look for a gap in Saints’ defence but Northampton work hard and push Newcastle into touch as the ball comes wide. Lineout Saints there.

Falcons push forwards as Saints return the restart, working into Saints’ 22 now.

Lawes is up to steal the lineout and Mitchell boxes clear. Tait is under it and he returns the ball to a waiting Ludlam. He finds Mitchell and the scrum-half breaks through. Saints push up to halfway quickly and keep coming.

Saints push up to the ten metre but are penalised for holding on. Hodgson sends the resulting penalty to touch for a lineout just outside Saints’ 22.

Freeman chases the restart and hits Tait hard. Falcons are forced to box kick high under pressure and Freeman is under it. Saints play on on halfway.

After some aerial tennis, Furbank runs back at Falcons hard. Saints push up to the Falcons’ 22 but Newcastle get over the ball there to earn a penalty. Hodgson puts it into touch.

After some aerial tennis, Furbank runs back at Falcons hard. Saints push up to the Falcons’ 22 but Newcastle get over the ball there to earn a penalty. Hodgson puts it into touch.

Falcons knock the restart into touch but Saints take the lineout quickly. Freeman boots downfield to space but Radwan gets to it first. Falcon play on near halfway.

Falcons are found offside at the lineout and Biggar puts it into the corner. 

Hill heads off for a HIA as we set the lineout, with Painter taking his place. 

Nordli-Kelemeti boxes clear after Saints box the restart high and Furbank is under it. Biggar boots downfield and Hodgson has to scramble back to gather it. He sends it high and Furbank keeps it in. Biggar sends a huge 50/22 kick through and Saints will have the lineout inside Falcons’ 22. 

Hinkley is under a short restart from Falcons and Saints play on again.

Free kick Saints at the lineout and Mitchell takes it quickly. The ball comes wide to Freeman and he pushes into Falcons’ 22 before he's taken. Saints play on.

Falcons clear off the lineout and find touch themselves. Lineout Saints on halfway. 

Saints boots clear in response and Falcons will have the lineout back near their 22.

Nordli-Kalameti boxes high and Saints play on. Biggar sends a cross field kick over the Hutchinson and the centre comes forwards before hacking through himself. Freeman chases but Radwan gets to it first and dots it down. Goal line drop Falcons.

Saints defend hard and pounce on more scrappy ball, Coles hacks through and the ball bobbles into touch. Lineout Falcons just outside their own 22. 

Scrappy at the lineout from Falcons but they manage to keep hold of the ball. Saints’ defence pushes them back outside their 22 now.

Saints defend hard at the maul but are penalised as the ball comes out into the midfield. Hodgson puts it into the corner. 

Ratuniyarawa picks and goes but the ball comes loose in contact and Falcons scoop it up. The come wide and though Saints get over the ball, Falcons earn the penalty with Northampton bodies on the wrong side. Hodgson sends it to the corner. 

Biggar can't convert in the blustery conditions but Furbank gets under the restart and Saints play on again.

Overthrow at the lineout and Falcons boot is clear. Furbank is under it and comes forwards before Mitchell returns it and Falcons play on.

Solid at the scrum and Mitchell whips it out to Hutchinson. The centre scrambled forwards before the ball comes out left. Saints push into Falcons 22 and earn a penalty there too when Newcastle are found offside. Biggar puts it into the corner. 

Scrappy at the restart but Saints manage to keep it. Mitchell sends it high and Saints pressure hard, earning their rewards in the form of a Falcons knock on. Scrum Saints.

Biggar sends the ball high and though Hodgson gets under it, he's his hard by Dingwall. Matavesi gets over the ball then and earns Saints the penalty. Biggar points to the posts.

Free kick Falcons as Saints are pinged for stepping into the gap. Hodgson sends it high and Proctor is under it. Saints play on.

Falcons disrupt the lineout but boot the ball clear and Mitchell returns with interest to touch. Lineout Falcons back inside their own half. 

Burrell takes the kick-off and Nordli-Kalameti – who starts in place of Young – boxes clear. Lineout Saints on halfway.