Northampton Saints delivered a statement performance on Saturday afternoon at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens, sweeping aside Leicester Tigers 40–22 in Round 6 of the PREM Rugby Cup. In a traditionally fierce East Midlands derby, both sides were forced to field heavily rotated line-ups due to the ongoing Six Nations preparations, but it was Northampton’s youthful selection that truly caught the eye. The Saints’ emphatic bonus-point victory reignites their push for a semi-final place, while Leicester, who remain top of Pool B, salvaged a late attacking bonus point that could yet prove significant.
Saints lay down an early marker
The opening exchanges were defined by a cautious tactical battle, with both teams opting for territory through frequent kicking rather than early risks in possession. However, it did not take long for Northampton to establish a foothold, particularly up front. The Saints’ pack quickly asserted dominance in the set-piece, with Leicester struggling to find consistency at the lineout and under pressure at scrum time.
That superiority was rewarded when Archie McParland crossed for the opening try. The move stemmed from a sharp break down the left-hand side before the ball was worked back inside, allowing the young scrum-half to finish with composure. Born in 2005, McParland was already dictating tempo and would soon become the central figure in the contest, announcing himself with a performance full of authority and confidence beyond his years.
Northampton’s accuracy and physical edge became increasingly apparent as the first half wore on. Strong in contact, quicker to the breakdown and far more clinical with ball in hand, the Saints began to stretch a Leicester defence that struggled to realign and cope with the pace of play. After sustained pressure close to the Tigers’ line, McParland claimed his second try of the afternoon, sniping close to the posts following a series of powerful carries from the forwards.
From there, the momentum was firmly with the home side. Full-back James Martin produced a moment of real quality, combining vision and execution to score in the corner after a clever phase of play initiated by fly-half James Pater. Winger Amena Caqusau then added another, finishing sharply out wide to secure the bonus point inside the opening half-hour – the fastest attacking bonus of the Cup campaign so far. Despite the difficulty of several conversions from wide angles, Pater, just 18 years old, remained faultless from the tee, underlining Northampton’s composure.
Leicester thought they had found a response shortly before the interval when Sam Williams powered over from a driving maul, but after a TMO review the try was chalked off, further compounding the Tigers’ frustration. Northampton went into the break with a commanding 28–5 lead, and could easily have been further ahead but for a late handling error in-goal.
Any hopes of a Leicester revival were swiftly extinguished after the restart. Once again, the Tigers were penalised at the first scrum, gifting Northampton an attacking platform which they converted clinically. Hooker Henry Walker was the beneficiary, rumbling over from close range following a well-drilled maul to inflict immediate damage.
As rain began to fall, conditions grew increasingly challenging, yet Northampton continued to play with clarity and ambition. A particularly slick passage of play saw Pater and replacement James Ramm combine in a sharp one-two, opening up the defence before the Saints crossed once more. Even as handling errors crept into the game for both sides, the gap in intensity and execution remained evident: Northampton were simply sharper, faster and more cohesive throughout.
To their credit, Leicester refused to fold completely. With the contest effectively decided, the Tigers showed resilience in the final quarter, with Sam Williams eventually getting his reward after relentless pressure close to the line. The Leicester pack then struck again from a well-executed driving maul, cutting the deficit and bringing the visitors within one try of a losing bonus point.
Northampton, visibly tiring after an energy-sapping display, missed a couple of late opportunities to close the game out more emphatically. That allowed Leicester a final chance after the hooter, and substitute Wilf McCarthy duly took it, crossing for a last-gasp try that secured a precious attacking bonus point despite the heavy defeat.
The bonus-point win breathes new life into Northampton’s PREM Rugby Cup campaign, hauling them firmly back into contention for a top-two finish in Pool B after an inconsistent start. For Leicester, the result does little to threaten their position at the summit, but their previously comfortable lead has been trimmed.
Beyond the scoreline, the match served as a valuable proving ground for emerging talent on both sides. Leicester handed a senior debut to 18-year-old Kesena Izu, while Northampton introduced Freddie St John, also born in 2007, highlighting the depth of young prospects coming through during the Six Nations window. In a derby that was expected to be close, it was Northampton’s youth that stole the spotlight and delivered a performance that may yet shape the rest of the competition.
About the Author
