This post was originally published on this site.
The Prem
Leicester (19) 41
Tries: Martin, Hassell-Collins, Blamire 2, Radwan, Steward Cons: O’Connor 3, Bailey Pens: O’Connor
Northampton (5) 17
Tries: Freeman 2 Hendy Cons: F Smith
Leicester turned on the style as they posted a record home league win over Northampton in a feisty East Midlands derby with hooker Jamie Blamire scoring two tries.
Leicester ran in six tries in total at a sold-out Mattioli Woods Welford Road as they handed Prem leaders Saints their first league defeat of 2026 – and only their second of the season.
George Martin, Ollie Hassell-Collins, Adam Radwan and Freddie Steward also crossed as the Tigers closed to only a point behind second-placed Bath as the race for a top-two finish hots up.
Tommy Freeman scored twice to become Saints’ record try scorer in the Prem with 52 either side of a George Hendy touchdown.
Getty ImagesNorthampton were disrupted before kick-off when they lost Tom Lockett in the warm-up and returning second row Martin scored his first try in two years on his first start of the season as Leicester came flying out of the blocks.
Referee Matthew Carley warned Saints about repeated early infringements and sin-binned Callum Chick in only the seventh minute.
Northampton’s 14 men defended superbly to keep Leicester out and levelled on 21 minutes with Rory Hutchinson taking out two players with one pass before Freeman went over in front of the delighted Saints fans.
Back came Leicester and Hassell-Collins restored their lead when he beat George Furbank on the left before going over in the corner.
Leicester’s pack was dominant and the Tigers scored their third try from a close-range line-out when they sucked in the Saints defence before Blamire crept over.
The home side cranked up the pressure even more and in the 47th minute, Jack van Poortvliet kicked a delightful ball over the Northampton defence for Radwan to collect and score under the posts and earn them a bonus point.
Josh Kemeny was shown a yellow card for Saints and Leicester took full advantage from another line-out as Blamire added his second – with Joe Heyes and Craig Wright sent to cool off as tempers boiled over in the aftermath of the score.
Steward went over after a brilliant 40-metre break by Hassell-Collins to stretch Leicester’s lead to 39-5, but Hendy went over in the corner for a converted score to give Northampton some consolation before Freeman notched his record-breaking try a minute from time.
The only negative for Leicester was a red card for replacement Izaia Perese in the closing minutes following a clash of heads with Furbank.
Tigers director of rugby Geoff Parling told BBC Radio Leicester:
“I’m really pleased with our edge in the first half, we were on a real sweet spot physically, and I’m also pleased we managed to stop them scoring a bonus point at the end.
“During the week, as coaches we were very tactical, we didn’t speak about emotion really because we knew the players would bring it with everything surrounding the game.
“The challenge now is to back it up against Sale next Sunday [17 May]. We need to make sure we go and play with the same amount of intensity and that we can handle the stakes.
“The intent we had in the first half is a benchmark for what we should look like.”
Saints director of rugby Phil Dowson told BBC Radio Northampton:
“We had to work incredibly hard and after half-time we couldn’t make the adjustments, we couldn’t get back into the game or exert any pressure of our own that would allow us to claw our way back in.
“Fundamentally, we didn’t get it right. We didn’t get enough ball, we conceded too many penalties – we’ve got to wear that and make sure we’re better. They’re a very good side as we knew they would be.
“This is a tough place to come, they’re unbeaten for a long period of time and we weren’t at it, but I don’t think we need to stress about it.
“We need to make sure we don’t take it lightly, but I don’t think we need to throw the baby out with the bath water.”
Leicester: Steward; Radwan, Wand, Bailey, Hassell-Collins; O’Connor, van Poortvliet; N Smith, Blamire, Heyes, Chessum (capt), Martin, Liebenberg, Reffell, Moro.
Replacements: Clare, van der Flier, Hurd, Henderson, Williams, Whiteley, Kata, Perese.
Northampton: Furbank (capt); Freeman, Hutchinson, Dingwall, Hendy; F Smith, Mitchell; Iyogun, R Smith, Green, Munga, van der Mescht, Kemeny, Graham, Chick.
Replacements: Wright, West, Millar Mills, Prowse, Atuanya, Pollock, McParland, Litchfield.
Referee: Matthew Carley
