Saints make last 16 despite losing 12-try thriller

Pool 3 of the Investec Champions Cup

Stade Francais 45 (19)

Tries: Dakuwaqa, Van der Mescht, Tanga (2), penalty try, Ezeala, Gabrillagues Cons: Henry (4)

Northampton Saints 35 (21)

Despite Stade Francais roaring back to win an exhilarating match featuring 12 tries, Northampton Saints were able to advance to the Investec Champions Cup knockout stage.

Henry Pollock once more showed his big-match mentality when the Premiership champions’ opener, which ended with a score of 2 tries in as many minutes, gave Northampton a lead of 21 points.

The home side responded superbly at a raucous Stade Jean-Bouin, scoring three times to cut the gap to 21-19 at half-time.

With only one game left, Henry Walker scored a fourth Saints try early in the second half to secure the bonus point necessary to secure their place in the last 16.

But a penalty try, which resulted in England scrum-half Alex Mitchell being sent to the sin-bin for 10 minutes, changed the game’s momentum.

The home side recorded a remarkable victory thanks to three more Stade tries and a yellow card for Saints captain Josh Kemeny.

With a number of standout performances this season, England head coach Steve Borthwick has been urged to select the dynamic 19-year-old from his Six Nations squad.

His first try showed his physical prowess when he threw a tackler at a passerby before extending over the line as a second player hit him.

His second try was a natural one, ripping the ball away from a Stade player and heading clear 50 meters away before giving the crowd a cheeky salute.

After being held up just short of the line by Tommy Freeman and Trevor Davison, lock Tom Lockett had scored the opening try.

The visitors, who won their opening two Pool 3 matches with bonus points, had to make a late change before kick-off with Fin Smith pulling out because of illness.

Charlie Savala joined Rory Hutchinson at inside center, replacing him with Charlie Savala.

Saints’ slick attacking game did not appear to be affected by the change, but their defense was unable to stop a vicious Stade fightback.

The home side had hope when Peniasi Dakuwaqa finished the corner with a superb finish.

The Saints won their bonus point fourth after hooker Walker’s finish, and the pace kept going until the end.

After Mitchell made an illegal attempt to stop a maul, Stade Francais immediately responded with a penalty try, leading to the England star leaving the field.

When substitute scrum-half Brad Weber broke through in the 52nd minute and Saints were short in defense, Samuel Ezeala raced over with options to his right as the hosts roared into the lead for the first time in the 52nd minute.

The hosts’ first pool win came after struggling in the Top 14 league, but they now have great confidence and momentum.

As Stade increased their lead to 10 points, Saints were unable to stop the potent Tanga’s second try, and the referee was called upon to calm the situation after almost everyone got into a scuffle.

The Saints then sent Kemeny to the sin-bin for a no-arms tackle on Tom Seabrook, and rival skipper Paul Gabrillagues made him pay by scudding over to scuttle the Saints’ hopes of a comeback.

Northampton won their fifth tries after Langdon crashed over from a maul, but Saints ran out of time and won the game-winner.

Replacements: Garcia Albo, Koffi, N’Diaye, Macalou, Pesenti, Weber, Carbonel, Marchant.

Northampton: Ramm, Freeman, Litchfield, Savala, Seabrook, Hutchinson, Mitchell, Haffar, Walker, Davison, Prowse, Lockett, Kemeny (capt), Scott-Young, Pollock.

Replacements: Langdon, West, Green, Hunter-Hill, Brown, Pearson, McParland, Makepeace-Cubitt.

Sin-bin: Mitchell (47), Josh Kemeny (68)