Northampton thrash 14-man Leicester in Premiership derby

Northampton Saints secured a resounding 40-17 victory over East Midlands rivals Leicester Tigers in a thrilling Premiership clash at Franklin’s Gardens. The win saw Northampton equal their biggest-ever Premiership win over Leicester, as they dominated proceedings after the Tigers were reduced to 14 men.

The game was finely poised at 18-17 with an hour gone, before Solomone Kata was shown a red card for a dangerous head-on-head hit on Fraser Dingwall. With the extra man advantage, Northampton capitalized and scored three unanswered tries to seal the victory and all-but secure a spot in the playoffs.

Leicester’s hopes of a top-four finish now hang by a thread, as they sit three points off the top four having played a game more than their rivals. In contrast, Northampton now have a five-point lead at the top of the table, setting them up nicely for the remainder of the season.

Northampton’s director of rugby, Phil Dowson, praised his team’s performance, highlighting the impact of the red card on the game. Leicester head coach Dan McKellar lamented his team’s lack of discipline and execution in the attacking 22, which ultimately cost them the game.

The match saw some standout performances, with George Hendy, Curtis Langdon, and Robbie Smith all getting on the scoresheet for Northampton. The win was a statement of intent from Northampton, who will be looking to carry this momentum forward as they push for a successful end to the season.