George Furbank gives Saints farewell gift to seal thrilling playoff win against Leicester

Semi-final: Northampton 45-31 Leicester

Saints await winners of Bath v Exeter in final

In recent years the semi-finals of the English Prem have been a reliable home banker. Not since Harlequins famously overturned a 28-0 deficit to beat Bristol after extra time in 2021 has any away side prospered and that trend continues. Northampton are into next week’s final after a ripper of an East Midlands derby that reflected well on all involved.

A first-half hat trick by the Saints’ centre Tom Litchfield ultimately gave the hosts the edge in a constantly seesawing encounter. It was a breathless game from start to finish, reflecting a campaign in which attack has frequently held sway, and it was only when the young scrum-half Archie McParland collected his side’s sixth try with 15 minutes remaining that the balance of power appeared to shift decisively.