Despite a nervy end to their encounter with Newcastle Red Bulls, Northampton Saints re-took their place at the top of the Gallagher PREM standings this weekend with a one-point 28-27 win.
Saints flew out of the blocks at a sunny cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens and sent scrum-half Archie McParland over early doors; but Newcastle kept Saints honest and managed to score a brace before Northampton could hit back through Ollie Sleightholme ahead of half-time.
A close-range effort from Curtis Langdon just a week after making his return from injury gave Saints’ lead a boost after the break before a screamer of a try from Tom Litchfield earned Northampton the bonus-point score.
A gutsy Newcastle performance provided a breathless end to the encounter, as they scored a fourth try of their own but Saints had done enough to cling onto their narrow lead.
FIRST HALF
Saints kick-off Foundation Day 2026 – where Northampton Saints Foundation’s stellar work is celebrated to raise vital funds and awareness for the charity – in some style and were on the scoreboard in just 90 seconds.
After Newcastle’s kick-off found touch, Northampton were quick to use the ball at the resulting scrum – coming left where Litchfield shot through Red Bulls’ line before finding George Furbank on his shoulder, who in turn found McParland inside him for the score.
Belleau’s conversion gave Saints the full seven point lead but the sides found themselves level on the eight-minute mark when Ollie Leatherbarrow speared Saints’ defence and charged in to score under the posts.
Newcastle pulled ahead when they found some space on the outside, setting Harrison Obatoyinbo free down the left. But a yellow card to Sammy Arnold for a high tackle on Furbank gave Saints the opportunity to attack.
A quick tap on the resulting penalty got Saints close before McParland spotted Sleightholme – who had entered the field moments before while Furbank in the blood bin following the prior collision – unmarked on the right and sent a looping pass over to the winger for Saints’ second.
Belleau sent his conversion over with the help of the left upright and Northampton were playing against 13 men as Newcastle’s Adam Brocklebank was shown a yellow card for an illegal use of the boot at the breakdown.
It was Saints’ turn to lose a man on the half hour, when James Ramm was sent to the sin bin for making a tackle in an offside position. Newcastle were back to full strength themselves and tried to make immediate use of their extra man off the resulting lineout but a mammoth defensive set from Northampton earned them the penalty and the chance to clear.
Northampton tried their best to extend their lead before the break, but resolute defence from Red Bulls saw Saints head into the changing rooms with just a slight two-point lead.
SECOND HALF
The teams emerged with the scoreline at 14-12 and both side’s defence kept it that way until the 54th minute, when Saints’ pressure eventually saw their driving maul close enough for Langdon to slip over the tryline.
Saints compounded errors stopped any chances the home side had to extend their lead and it was instead Newcastle who made the most of their chances, with Connon adding three from the tee to bring the deficit to within a score.
And the away side closed the gap with eight minutes left on the clock when loose ball saw Simón Benítez Cruz speed down the right to score, with Connon’s missed conversion leaving Saints with just a one-point lead.
But a turn of incredible pace from Litchfield on the left earned Saints the bonus-point score, with the centre charging over after a quick tapped penalty saw Belleau tip the ball perfectly onto the sprinting Litchfield.
Newcastle would have the last word on the scoresheet, when Tom Christie barrelled over from close range, but Saints had already done enough to secure the win and re-take their place at the top of the PREM table.
The men in Black, Green and Gold break new ground next week as they take to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the first time to face Saracens in Round 12 on Saturday 28 March (kick-off: 6pm).
LINE-UPS
Saints: 15 George Furbank, 14 James Pater, 13 Rory Hutchinson, 12 Tom Litchfield, 11 James Ramm, 10 Anthony Belleau, 9 Archie McParland; 1 Emmanuel Iyogun, 2 Robbie Smith, 3 Luke Green, 4 Ed Prowse, 5 Chunya Munga, 6 Tom Lockett, 7 Tom Pearson, 8 Callum Chick (c).
Replacements: 16 Curtis Langdon, 17 Tom West, 18 Cleopas Kundiona, 19 Aiden Ainsworth-Cave, 20 Charlie Ulcoq, 21 Tom James, 22 Toby Thame, 23 Ollie Sleightholme.
Newcastle: 15 Elliott Obatoyinbo, 14 Oli Spencer, 13 Alex Hearle, 12 Sammy Arnold, 11 Harrison Obatoyinbo, 10 Brett Connon, 9 Simón Benítez Cruz; 1 Adam Brocklebank, 2 George McGuigan (captain), 3 Richard Palframan, 4 Freddie Clarke, 5 Adam Scott, 6 Reuben Parsons, 7 Tom Christie, 8 Ollie Leatherbarrow.
Replacements: 16 Ollie Fletcher, 17 Murray McCallum, 18 Nicky Little, 19 John Hawkins, 20 Tom Gordon, 21 James Elliott, 22 Rhys Beeckmans, 23 Boeta Chamberlain.