Wigan’s glory proves inspiration as Saints stun Saracens

Wigan overturned the odds to beat Manchester City at Wembley on Saturday and Northampton director of rugby Jim Mallinder took that as proof that anything was possible for his underdog side at Allianz Park.

Northampton, who had finished 12 points behind table-toppers Saracens in the regular season, raced into a 17-0 
half-time lead with tries from Brian Mujati and Jamie Elliott.

But no-one in the Saints changing room was complacent at the interval because, only two years ago, Northampton led Leinster 22-6 in the Heineken Cup final and went on to lose 33-22.

Owen Farrell kicked two penalties to keep alive any faint hopes of a Saracens comeback – but they were quashed when GJ Van Velze scored Northampton’s third try just before the hour.

Saracens did engineer a consolation try from Duncan Taylor when Elliot was in the sin-bin, but it was the Saints who marched on to Twickenham.

Asked about the inspiration he drew from Wigan’s FA Cup win, Mallinder said: “They (Saracens) finished first and we were fourth. They were unbeaten here and we hadn’t beaten them all season.

“We hadn’t beaten a top three team and they clearly were the favourites. But the favourites don’t always win. I had a number of people reminding me of that after the Wigan-Manchester City game.”

Tom Croft made an irresistible case for British and Irish Lions Test team selection in Australia this summer after inspiring Leicester’s march to a ninth successive Premiership final.

The England flanker rounded off a quality Tigers display by claiming his team’s third try – a 50-metre solo effort complete with one-handed finish – that ended Quins’ reign as English champions.

Leicester wrestled control when Quins’ England scrum-half Danny Care received a yellow card. With the dangerous former Leeds player out of commission, Tigers wing Niall Morris crossed for a try that followed Vereniki Goneva’s first-half touchdown, and Leicester were home and dry.

Full-back Mathew Tait, who ran Croft close as Leicester’s most effective performer, added a fourth try, while fly-half Toby Flood chipped in with 13 points from three penalties and two conversions.

Quins were left to reflect on three Nick Evans penalties and a late Ross Chisholm try that Evans converted as their sole crumbs of comfort.

“I am delighted with the performance,” said Leicester rugby director Richard Cockerill afterwards.

“I thought across the board the players were outstanding. So much work goes into the season across the board, from top to bottom, and to get to a final – which we have got to win – is great for the club.”

Yorkshire went down 35-25 at Fylde in the Bill Beaumont Cup at Fylde, meaning they require victory over Durham this weekend to progress.

Tries for the visitors came from Hull flanker Anthony Maka and Beverley centre Tomasi Tamumi, with a penalty try awarded to them on the stroke of half-time.

Chris Reaks converted two of the tries as well as adding a penalty, with Greg Wood adding a second goal-kick. But it wasn’t enough to prevent defeat to their Roses rivals, who ran in five tries.