Northampton Saints 44 Newcastle Falcons 15: Saints’ Russian assassin lifts them past Newcastle

Artemyev, who scored a try against Ireland in the recent World Cup, grabbed two more to take his tally to six from three matches since arriving at Franklin’s Gardens.

Halifax-born Mallinder said: “He’s settled in really well and seems to know the way to the try line.

“He’d stood out playing for Russia who were not always winning games and getting on the front foot, but he had the knack of scoring and looking good.”

The 24-year-old had three years playing for University College Dublin before returning home to play in Russia and Mallinder added: “It helped with him speaking English, having played in Ireland.”

Northampton have now won four matches in succession since their players began returning from the World Cup and Mallinder said: “We scored some good tries in the second half.

“It was a difficult first half, Newcastle put us under pressure and we knew that, with Jimmy Gopperth’s boot, we couldn’t give away penalties.”

Former Newcastle player Tom May scored the first two Saints tries against his former club in the opening half, with England winger Chris Ashton adding the final two late on.

“I think Tom was determined to do well against his old club but Chris’s tries were just a bonus. All the hard work was done up front before that,” Mallinder added.

Newcastle head coach Alan Tait said: “At half-time the changing room was happy but I warned them they were playing a very good Northampton team.

“We started the second half really poorly and you could see the heads going again.

“We’re at the bottom and it doesn’t take a lot to see their heads go, but they are a good set of lads.”

Injury-hit Newcastle are at home to promoted Worcester on Friday night and Tait added: “We’ve got to keep in the pack so next week is important for us.

“We’ve had horrendous injuries with a lot of good players missing for the season so far, but I’m pretty confident that when we get these players back we’ll kick on and shock a few people.”

May’s touchdowns enabled the former England centre, capped twice on the 2009 summer tour to Argentina, to open his account for Northampton after arriving from French side Toulon during the close season.

Ryan Lamb, who was involved in the build-up to the first three tries, contributed 12 points, with two penalties and three conversions, with his replacement Stephen Myler adding a conversion. Kiwi fly-half Jimmy Gopperth scored all Newcastle’s points, with four penalties and a drop goal.

Harlequins rugby director Conor O’Shea and Exeter head coach Rob Baxter were united in their dissatisfaction with referee Sean Davey after the hosts achieved an unlikely victory at Twickenham Stoop.

O’Shea was angry over what he considered to be Davey’s poor work at the breakdown while Baxter expressed his frustration at losing 19-13 despite a compelling superiority in the scrum, in possession and territory.

“We had to dig in out there, and to come back as we did and score 10 quick points after falling behind speaks volumes for the attitude of the players.” Said O’Shea.

“It was not the prettiest of games because there was a lack of tempo, but then we realise that teams will come here to stop us playing.

“For us, the breakdown was an absolute nightmare. Players not rolling away after tackling, players going over the top.

“We needed to get to the breakdown in numbers and will be working on that during the week.”

O’Shea was careful not to mention the referee specifically, but his inference was clear – Exeter were not being refereed correctly in his opinion.

He added: “We will not play brilliant rugby every week, but we did not get frustrated when things were clearly not going right for us at the breakdown.

“They are a bloody good side, well coached, well structured and destined for a top-four finish while we will play better this season and lose, but you do need areas to function if you are to get tempo in your game.”

Baxter was so annoyed at the whistle that he walked on to the field and expressed his disappointment personally to Davey.

“I spoke with the referee and told him that I felt there were inaccuracies in the game that I shall look at further during the week before making my report,” he said.

“Frankly, I am not happy with the way the game was officiated.”

Nick Evans came to the rescue of his team with another immaculate kicking display comprising four penalties and a conversion of a Mike Brown try.

Bryan Rennie scored Exeter’s try, converted by Ignacio Mieres who also kicked two goals.