Saints dominate Bulls to book semi-final spot in Champions Cup

Northampton Saints booked their place in the Investec Champions Cup semi-finals with a hard-earned victory over Vodacom Bulls at Franklin’s Gardens.

James Ramm and Alex Mitchell scored two tries each, while Courtney Lawes, Ollie Sleightholme, Alex Coles, Fraser Dingwall and Juarno Augustus also went over as Saints advanced to the last four for the first time in 13 years.

This was the hosts’ first Champions Cup quarter-final on home soil since they lifted the trophy in 2000, and they broke through in the 10th minute when the unchallenged Ramm raced over from the halfway line.

Cameron Hanekom quickly responded for Bulls, who were appearing in their maiden Champions Cup quarter-final, but tries from Lawes, Sleightholme and Mitchell soon restored Saints’ dominance.

The visitors reduced the deficit before the break with Akker van der Merwe going over, before Sebastian de Klerk intercepted Mitchell’s offload and sprinted the length of the pitch to cut the gap to 28-22.

Saints, who have only lost once at home all season, established their authority once more in the second half.

Ramm and Mitchell grabbed their second tries, while Dingwall and Augustus also crossed as they soared into the semi-finals.

The double remains a real possibility for Saints, who are through to the last four for the first time since reaching the 2010-11 final.

They looked like they were in for a tough battle when Bulls reduced the deficit from 28-10 to 28-22 at the end of the first half.

However, the Premiership leaders – and 1999-2000 winners of this trophy – regained control after the break and in the end, it was a fairly comfortable victory that sets up a mouthwatering semi-final with Leinster.

Into the last four, top of the Premiership and winning 13 of their last 14 matches, Saints have momentum in their bid to make the 2023-24 season a historic one for them.

Birthday boy Sleightholme was just three days old when Northampton last played a Champions Cup quarter-final on home soil, as they edged out London Wasps 25-22 at Franklin’s Gardens.

Just under a quarter of a century later, he played his part in a commanding win for Saints with a powerful display from the wing.

Sleightholme did brilliantly for his try as he held off several challenges before forcing his way over the line.

Although an offside denied him a second, he contributed elsewhere with six carries and 51 metres made, and will need to maintain these performance levels heading into that semi-final with Leinster.

Northampton Saints: Ramm 9, Hendy 8, Freeman 8, Dingwall 8, Sleightholme 9*, F. Smith 9, Mitchell 9; Iyogun 8, Langdon 8, Davison 8, Moon 8, Coles 8, Lawes 9, Graham 8, Augustus 8.

Replacements: Matavesi 7, Waller 6, Hill 6, Mayanavanua 6, Scott-Young 7, Ludlam 7, James 6, Furbank 6.

Vodacom Bulls: Williams 6, De Klerk 8, Immelman 6, Vorster 6, Jacobs 7, C. Smith 7, Burger 6; Matanzima 7, Van der Merwe 8, M. Smith 7, Swanepoel 6, Van Heerden 7, Carr 6, Gumede 6, Hanekom 8.

Replacements: Wessels 6, D. Smith 6, Klopper 6, Olivier 6, Ludwig 6, Johannes 6, Van der Walt 6, Hendricks 6.

12′ – TRY!!! NORTHAMPTON SAINTS 7-0 VODACOM BULLS (RAMM): The hosts strike first in this quarter-final! A series of neat offloads allows Ramm to burst away from the halfway line. Although he has team-mates for support, a clever dummy enables the full-back in to touch down. Fin Smith converts from just to the right of the posts.

15′ – TRY!!! NORTHAMPTON SAINTS 7-7 VODACOM BULLS (HANEKOM): The visitors respond immediately to level. The Bulls go straight down the other end and Hanekom bursts through three challenges before crossing the line. Chris Smith turns five points into seven.

17′ – TRY!!! NORTHAMPTON SAINTS 14-7 VODACOM BULLS (LAWES): Captain’s example from Lawes, who edges his side back in front. A great pass from Fin Smith enables Coles to get through the defence. He offloads to Lawes who, despite a wonderful Bulls tackle, manages to spin and touch down. Smith makes no mistake with the conversion.

21′ – TRY!!! NORTHAMPTON SAINTS 21-10 VODACOM BULLS (SLEIGHTHOLME): After the Saints neatly work a lineout, the winger demonstrates tremendous strength to hold off several challenges and eventually go under the posts. Fin Smith maintains his perfect record from the kicking tee to turn five points into seven.

26′ – TRY!!! NORTHAMPTON SAINTS 28-10 VODACOM BULLS (MITCHELL): It is another devastating attack from the Saints. Following Langdon’s initial burst, Mitchell retrieves the ball and cleverly skips past a couple of challenges to get over the line. Fin Smith converts again.

33′ – TRY!!! NORTHAMPTON SAINTS 28-15 VODACOM BULLS (VAN DER MERWE): A lifeline for the Bulls! They cut the gap as Van der Merwe darts for the line and crosses in the corner for his ninth try of the season. However, Chris Smith pulls his conversion attempt to the left of the posts.

37′ – TRY!!! NORTHAMPTON SAINTS 28-22 VODACOM BULLS (DE KLERK): As the Saints push for another try, Mitchell’s offload is intercepted by De Klerk. The only survivor from last week, he sprints the length of the field unchallenged to touch down. Chris Smith converts to reduce the deficit to just six points.

42′ – TRY!!! NORTHAMPTON SAINTS 35-22 VODACOM BULLS (COLES): What a start to the second half by the Saints! Lawes’ offload allows Freeman to burst through to the defence and feed Coles, who can run unchallenged for the line. Fin Smith converts five points to seven.

48′ – TRY!!! NORTHAMPTON SAINTS 40-22 VODACOM BULLS (RAMM): So good from the Saints as Ramm gets his second try! After the hosts neatly work the play from the ruck, Dingwall and Fin Smith combine to find the unmarked Ramm, who goes over. Although, Fin Smith hits the posts as he fails to convert for the first time today.

52′ – TRY!!! NORTHAMPTON SAINTS 47-22 VODACOM BULLS (DINGWALL): Jacobs makes a great challenge to deny Hendy in the corner. However, the Saints refuse to relent and another neat Fin Smith offload paves the way for Dingwall to cross. Fin Smith converts.

69′ – TRY!!! NORTHAMPTON SAINTS 54-22 VODACOM BULLS (MITCHELL): The scrum-half gets his second try of the game. After another lengthy spell of Saints pressure, Mitchell retrieves the ball from the ruck and forces his way over. Fin Smith makes no mistake in converting.

74′ – TRY!!! NORTHAMPTON SAINTS 59-22 VODACOM BULLS (AUGUSTUS): The number eight gets his second try of the game as the hosts push for the line from a penalty. Freeman offloads to Augustus, who powers over, though Fin Smith pulls his conversion attempt wide of the posts.

With a combined 50 points, Northampton Saints and Vodacom Bulls played out the highest-scoring first half in an Investec Champions Cup quarter-final.

The Saints are through to the semi-finals for the first time since the 2010-11 season.