Saints into last 16 despite defeat in thriller

MATCH REPORT: Northampton Saints secured their place in the Champions Cup knockout stage despite Stade Francais roaring back to win an exhilarating match 45-35.

Tom Lockett got Northampton Saints on the board just after 10 minutes, before Henry Pollock extended their lead.

Pollock then got another shortly after, breaking through from a ruck to coast in from 40 metres out.

Peniasi Dakuwaqa got Stade Français’ first of the evening in response before JJ van der Mescht charged down and ran in to close the gap to 12-21 in Paris.

After a tight first half with only penalties exchanged, Munster got the first try of the match through Dian Bleuler from short range.

Before John Hodnett finished a great break to extend their lead they ran out 17-12 winners after Saracens only managed another penalty.

Yoan Tanga scored early in the second half to keep the French side in it before Henry Walker powered over for Northampton Saints’ bonus point.

The hosts hit back shortly after with a penalty try, resulting in Alex Mitchell heading to the sin bin for 10 minutes before Samuel Ezeala finished some great hands to put them in the lead for the first time.

Tanga then got his second to increase their lead to 38-28 before the hour mark before another one from Paul Gabrillagues sealed a 45-35 win.

Scorers:

For Stade Francais:
Tries: Dakuwaqa, Van der Mescht, Tanga 3, Ezeala, Gabrillagues, Penalty
Cons: Henry 4

For Northampton Saints:
Tries: Lockett, Pollock 2, Walker, Langdon
Cons: Hutchinson 4, Lockett

Teams

Stade Francais: 15 Joe Jonas, 14 Peniasi Dakuwaqa, 13 Samuel Ezeala, 12 Julien Delbouis, 11 Lester Etien, 10 Zack Henry, 9 Louis Foursans-Bourdette, 8 Yoan Tanga, 7 Romain Briatte, 6 Tanginoa Halaifonua, 5 JJ van der Mescht, 4 Paul Gabrillagues (captain), 3 Francisco Gomez Kodela, 2 Giacomo Nicotera, 1 Moses Alo-Emile.
Replacements: 16 Alvaro Garcia Albo, 17 Isaac Koffi, 18 Hugo N’Diaye, 19 Sekou Macalou, 20 Baptiste Pesenti, 21 Brad Weber, 22 Louis Carbonel, 23 Joe Marchant.

Northampton Saints: 15 James Ramm, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Tom Litchfield, 12 Rory Hutchinson, 11 Tom Seabrook, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Alex Mitchell, 8 Henry Pollock, 7 Angus Scott-Young, 6 Josh Kemeny (captain), 5 Tom Lockett, 4 Ed Prowse, 3 Trevor Davison, 2 Henry Walker, 1 Tarek Haffar.
Replacements: 16 Curtis Langdon, 17 Tom West, 18 Luke Green, 19 Callum Hunter-Hill, 20 Fyn Brown, 21 Tom Pearson, 22 Archie McParland, 23 Charlie Savala.

Referee: Eoghan Cross (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Keane Davison (Ireland) & Paul Haycock (Ireland)
TMO: Leo Colgan (Ireland)

Source @InvestecChampionsCup