George Furbank, on his final Northampton appearance at Franklin’s Gardens, roared after scoring the try that sent his side to the Premiership final. The fullback’s second try sealed a 45-31 victory over Leicester in a breathless East Midlands derby.
Match Overview
The semi-final was a high-scoring affair with 12 tries in total, seven for Northampton. Tom Litchfield’s first-half hat trick gave the Saints a crucial edge, while Archie McParland’s try with 15 minutes left seemed decisive. Leicester fought back through Ollie Hassell-Collins before Furbank’s late score put the game to bed.
Key Performances
Henry Pollock impressed with 26 carries, while Ollie Chessum and Tommy Reffell were persistent for Leicester. The atmosphere was intense, with the local Shoe Army in raucous mood. Leicester coach Geoff Parling described the result as tough to take, while Northampton’s Phil Dowson praised Pollock’s maturity.
- Tom Litchfield: Hat trick within first half
- George Furbank: Two tries on final home game
- Henry Pollock: 26 carries, outstanding power
Turning Points
After Leicester led 12-7 early, Northampton struck back with quick tries from Litchfield and Tommy Freeman. A disallowed try for Elliot Millar Mills added drama, but Furbank’s second try and McParland’s score sealed the win.
The victory sends Northampton to the final against the winners of Bath vs Exeter, continuing the trend of home semi-final wins in the Premiership.
