First-half hat-trick helps Northampton see off Leicester in semifinal thriller

MATCH REPORT: Northampton claimed East Midlands bragging rights and a place in the Prem Final after eventually subduing Leicester in a thrilling 45-31 victory at Franklin’s Gardens.

Tom Litchfield ran in a first-half hat-trick, George Furbank crossed twice on his home farewell ahead of his move to Harlequins and Tommy Freeman and Archie McParland also touched down as Saints booked their place at Allianz Stadium next Saturday.

Leicester were magnificent with Ollie Hassell-Collins pouncing for two of their five tries and their refusal to concede defeat even as they chased down hefty deficits contributed to a frantic and brilliant play-off.

But Northampton were electric in attack to signal to Bath and Exeter, who meet on Saturday, that having finished the regular season as league leaders they are also the team to beat at Twickenham.

The speed, accuracy and ambition of their play was mesmerising and they have now amassed 111 tries in the Prem in 2025-26, although it was not until Furbank raced over for the second time with six minutes left that they could rest easy against Tigers.

England head coach Steve Borthwick watched from the stands as a number of his players – from both teams – starred on a thrilling night, but it was Fin Smith who finished as man of the match with Henry Pollock surely close behind.

Having been booed on to the pitch by the noisy home crowd, Leicester faced a similar onslaught when play begun with Pollock heavily involved as Litchfield used his athleticism to glide over after just 87 seconds.

The early score was a signpost for the mayhem to come with four tries arriving in 13 high-octane minutes that saw the lead change twice.

Leicester hit back with a Hanro Liebenberg pick and go and then Freddie Steward crossed with an outstretched hand on his comeback from a broken thumb following an innovative Tigers set play.

Saints rallied when Litchfield struck again with help from a mix-up between Steward and Billy Searle and in the 20th minute they opened up daylight when Smith darted forwards and chipped ahead of Freeman to touch down.

Provided with quick ball by a home pack that was shading the forward exchanges, Smith was taking charge while Pollock was everywhere.

But a pulsating first half produced two more twists with Hassell-Collins finishing a Searle kick-pass before Litchfield completed his hat-trick by muscling over from close range following a break by Freeman.

Saints opened up daylight once again early in the second half when Furbank picked his moment to strike off Rory Hutchinson’s slick passing, but Leicester refused to throw in the towel and they created the space for Orlando Bailey to cross.

The Tigers had the wind in their sails but they could not capitalise on a dominant spell, although they at least defended their line when they came under pressure with Steward saving them in the right corner.

Pollock was left shaken by big hit from George Martin but Saints were back on top, helped by the hard yards from South African giant JJ Van Der Mescht off the bench, and in the 66th minute they were over again with McParland rounding of an electric attack.

Leicester were still throwing, however, as Hassell-Collins touched down a Searle kick, but Furbank landed the killer blow when he sprinted across the whitewash after Freeman had burst forward.

The scorers:

For Northampton:
Tries: Litchfield 3, Freeman, Furbank 2, McParland
Cons: Smith 5

For Leicester:
Tries: Liebenberg, Steward, Hassell-Collins 2, Bailey
Cons: Searle 3

Teams:

Northampton Saints: 15 George Furbank (captain), 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Tom Litchfield, 12 Rory Hutchinson, 11 George Hendy, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Archie McParland, 8 Henry Pollock, 7 Tom Pearson, 6 Josh Kemeny, 5 Ed Prowse, 4 Alex Coles, 3 Elliot Millar Mills, 2 Curtis Langdon, 1 Emmanuel Iyogun.
Replacements: 16 Craig Wright, 17 Danilo Fischetti, 18 Luke Green, 19 JJ van der Mescht, 20 Tom Lockett, 21 Callum Chick, 22 Jonny Weimann, 23 Fraser Dingwall.

Leicester Tigers: 15 Freddie Steward, 14 Adam Radwan, 13 Will Wand, 12 Orlando Bailey, 11 Ollie Hassell-Collins, 10 Billy Searle, 9 Jack van Poortvliet, 8 Joaquin Moro, 7 Tommy Reffell, 6 Hanro Liebenberg, 5 Ollie Chessum (captain), 4 George Martin, 3 Joe Heyes, 2 Jamie Blamire, 1 Nicky Smith.
Replacements: 16 Charlie Clare, 17 Archie van der Flier, 18 Will Hurd, 19 Cameron Henderson, 20 Olly Cracknell, 21 Tom Whiteley, 22 Solomone Kata, 23 Izaia Perese.

Referee: Luke Pearce
Assistant referees: Anthony Woodthorpe, Adam Leal
TMO: Stuart Terheege