RECAP: Northampton Saints v Leinster
READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to the European Cup Round Three match between Northampton Saints and Leinster at Franklin’s Gardens.
Leinster have won their last eight pool games against Premiership opposition in the Champions Cup, with their last such defeat coming in Round Six in 2015/16 against Wasps.
Northampton have won their opening two games and they’ve not enjoyed a longer winning run in Europe’s top flight since four straight victories during the 2014/15 pool stage.
Leinster have won 18 of their last 20 Champions Cup games (L2), with their only defeats coming last season away to Toulouse in the pool stage and against Saracens in the final.
Saints have kicked nine penalty goals in the opening two rounds, more than any other side.
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Teams:
Northampton Saints: 15 Ahsee Tuala, 14 Tom Collins, 13 Matt Proctor, 12 Rory Hutchinson, 11 Taqele Naiyaravoro, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Teimana Harrison, 7 Jamie Gibson, 6 Tom Wood, 5 Api Ratuniyarawa, 4 Alex Moon, 3 Ehren Painter, 2 Mike Haywood, 1 Alex Waller
Replacements: 16 Michael van Vuuren, 17 Francois van Wyk, 18 Paul Hill, 19 Alex Coles, 20 Lewis Ludlam, 21 Connor Tupai, 22 James Grayson, 23 Piers Francis
Leinster: 15 Jordan Larmour, 14 Dave Kearney, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 James Lowe, 10 Johnny Sexton (captain), 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Caelan Doris, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Rhys Ruddock, 5 James Ryan, 4 Devin Toner, 3 Andrew Porter, 2 Rónan Kelleher, 1 Cian Healy
Replacements: 16 James Tracy, 17 Ed Byrne, 18 Tadhg Furlong, 19 Scott Fardy, 20 Max Deegan, 21 Luke McGrath, 22 Ross Byrne, 23 Rob Kearney
Referee: Alexandre Ruiz (France)
Assistant referees: Ludovic Cayre (France), Cédric Marchat (France)
TMO: Patrick Dellac (France)
