Prem semi-final: Northampton Saints 45-31 Leicester Tigers – Furbank double helps hosts reach final

The Prem play-off semi-final

Northampton Saints (26) 45

Tries: Litchfield 3, Freeman, Furbank 2, McParland Cons: Smith 5

Leicester Tigers (19) 31

Tries: Liebenberg, Steward, Hassell-Collins 2, Bailey Cons: Searle 3

Captain George Furbank scored two tries in his final home game for Northampton Saints as they overcame Leicester Tigers in an East Midlands derby classic to reach the Prem Final.

Furbank, who will join Harlequins next season, grabbed two second-half tries to ensure he has a shot at finishing his Northampton career with a second title.

In an absorbing semi-final at the cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens, two early tries Tom Litchfield came either side of quickfire scores from Hanro Liebenberg and Freddie Steward, which had Tigers momentarily ahead.

Saints’ Tommy Freeman and Leicester’s Ollie Hassell-Collins then traded eye-catching tries before Litchfield completed his treble to put Northampton 26-19 up at the break.

Furbank went over early in the second half, then completed the high-scoring contest after Orlando Bailey’s try and Hassell-Collins’ second for Leicester sandwiched Archie McParland’s fine effort for Saints.

Northampton advance to Twickenham, where they lifted the title in 2024, where they will meet the winners of Saturday’s second semi-final between defending champions Bath and Exeter Chiefs.

More to follow.

Northampton Saints: Furbank; Freeman, Litchfield, Hutchinson, Hendy; Smith, McParland; Iyogun, Langdon, Millar Mills; Coles, Prowse, Kemeny, Pearson, Pollock.

Replacements: Wright, Fischetti, Green, Van Der Mescht, Lockett, Chick, Weimann, Dingwall.

Leicester Tigers: Steward; Radwan, Wand, Bailey, Hassell-Collins; Searle, Van Poortvliet; Smith, Blamire, Heyes; Martin, Chessum, Liebenberg, Reffell, Moro.

Replacements: Clare, Van der Flier, Hurd, Henderson, Cracknell, Whiteley, Kata, Perese.

Referee: Luke Pearce.