Northampton overcome Leicester in derby classic to reach Prem 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 hat-trick 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.

Image caption,

Tom Litchfield won Northampton's players' player of the season award

Northampton topped the table after 18 regular season games to set up the highly anticipated showdown with their regional neighbours, who finished fourth in the table in Geoff Parling's first season as a head coach.

A bustling run from Henry Pollock down the right laid the foundations for what was the fastest try to be scored in a Prem play-off game, as Litchfield scythed through Tigers' resistance after just 87 seconds.

Leicester's response was swift - with Liebenberg powering over in what proved to be his final appearance for Leicester, before fit-again England international Steward stretched over to score with the right hand which he had thumb surgery on just weeks ago.