In a breathtaking Investec Champions Cup semi-final, Northampton Saints emerged victorious with a 37-34 win over Leinster, thanks to a stellar performance by Tommy Freeman, who scored a first-half hat-trick. The match, held in Dublin, was a rollercoaster of emotions, featuring 10 tries and three yellow cards for the Saints.

Key Moments

• Tommy Freeman's Hat-Trick: Freeman was instrumental in Northampton's early lead, scoring three tries in the first half. His agility and precision were unmatched, setting the tone for the game.
• Leinster's Fightback: Despite being down by 12 points at halftime, Leinster showed resilience with tries from Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris, and James Lowe. However, their efforts fell short in the final moments.
• Defensive Stand: With only 14 men on the field, Northampton's defense held firm in the dying seconds, turning over Leinster just a meter from their own line to secure the win.

Match Statistics

• Tries: Northampton Saints (5) - Freeman (3), Pollock, Ramm; Leinster (5) - O'Brien, Van der Flier (2), Doris, Lowe.
• Conversions: Fin Smith (3/5) for Northampton; Sam Prendergast (3/5) for Leinster.
• Penalties: Smith (2/2) for Northampton; Prendergast (1/1) for Leinster.

Looking Ahead

Northampton Saints will now face the winner of the all-French semi-final between Toulouse and Bordeaux-Begles in the Champions Cup final on May 24 in Cardiff. This victory marks a significant achievement for the Saints, who have shown remarkable form and determination throughout the tournament.

Team Lineups

Leinster: Keenan; O'Brien, Ringrose, Henshaw, Lowe; Prendergast, Gibson-Park; Healy, Sheehan, Furlong, Snyman, McCarthy, Deegan, Van der Flier, Doris (capt). Northampton Saints: Ramm; Freeman, Dingwall (capt), Hutchinson, Litchfield; Smith, Mitchell; Iyogun, Langdon, Davison, Mayanavanua, Coles, Kemeny, Pollock, Augustus.

Yellow Cards

Northampton Saints: Langdon, Kemeny, Coles.

Referee

Pierre Brousset (France)

This match will be remembered as one of the most thrilling encounters in Champions Cup history, showcasing the best of rugby union with high stakes and exceptional talent.