Saints fight back to beat Quins and extend home run

Gallagher Premiership

Northampton (14) 33

Tries: Iyogun, Sleightholme 2, Penalty try, Graham Cons: F Smith 3

Harlequins (22) 29

Tries: Walker, M Smith 2, Porter Cons: M Smith 3 Pens: M Smith

Northampton Saints fought back to beat Harlequins 33-29 in a thrilling Premiership encounter to extend their long home winning run.

Marcus Smith scored 19 points for the away side in his first-ever league start at full-back, 17 of which came in a strong first-half performance from the visitors as he ran in two tries.

Jack Walker also scored to cancel out tries from Saints' Emmanuel Iyogun and Ollie Sleightholme to give Quins an eight-point lead at the break.

Saints had struggled to deal with their opponents at the breakdown and gave away nine penalties in the first half but were unrecognisable in the second.

Sleightholme’s second try, a penalty try and a fifth from Sam Graham put the home side in control as they took full advantage of Nick David's spell in the sin-bin for a high tackle.

Will Porter got one back late on to secure the losing bonus point for Harlequins.

Northampton’s home winning streak is now approaching a full calendar year since their last loss to Bristol Bears on 21 October, 2023.

More to follow.

Northampton: Furbank; Freeman, Dingwall, Hutchinson, Sleightholme; F Smith, James; Iyogun, Langdon, Davison; Munga, Coles; Kemeny, Pearson, Graham.

Replacements: R Smith, West, Green, Mayanavanua, Pollock, McParland, Seabrook, Ramm.

Harlequins: M Smith; David, Joseph, Anyanwu, Beard; Evans, Care; Baxter, Walker, Lamositele; Herbst, Lewies; Kenningham, Evans, Cunningham-South.

Replacements: Jibulu, Els, Lewis, Lamb, Chisholm, Porter, Bradley, Anderson.

Sin-bin: David (42).

Referee: Matthew Carley.