Match Centre: Northampton Saints 6-17 Munster

Northampton Saints 6-17 Munster, cinch Stadium at Franklin's Gardens

Gavin Coombes scored a double as Munster overcame Northampton Saints with a 17-6 margin in the second round of the Heineken Champions Cup at cinch Stadium at Franklin's Gardens.

This is first win for Munster in two matches as they are at sixth place in Pool B while Northampton are languishing at the bottom after losing both the matches.

Coombes opened the account of Munster in the 13th minute when the Irish province opted for a quick go off a penalty at the end of which he dived from close range. Joey Carbery landed the conversion to take them to a 0-7 lead.

Fin Smith provided Northampton hope with back to back penalties sandwiched between a three-pointer from Carbery taking the scoreline to 6-10 in the opening 30 minutes of the game.

With the break approaching, Coombes scored his second following good work from Tadgh Bernie at the back of a line out and once again Carbery was spot on with the conversion to ensure the visitors completed the opening half with a 11-point lead.

Northampton tried to occupy more territory in the second half but their desperation could not see them add any further points with the 52nd minute seeing both Jack O'Donoghue and Lewis Ludlam sin-binned following a mass brawl in the middle of the pitch.

Munster were further down by a player temporarily with Craig Casey sin-binned for a high tackle on James Raam and in the 67th minute Carbery was also yellow carded for an offside but despite the setback the Irish province held on to their defence and ensured they completed a 11-point victory.

Team line up:

Northampton: Furbank; Ramm, Proctor, Hutchinson, Freeman; Smith, Mitchell; Waller, Matavesi, Painter, Salakaia-Loto, Ribbans, Scott-Young, Ludlam, Augustus.

Reserves: Haywood, Iyogun, Petch, Moon, Hinkley, Braley, Dingwall, Skosan.

Munster: Haley; Nash, Frisch, Crowley, Earls; Carbery, Murray; Loughman, Scannell, Ryan; Kleyn, Beirne; O'Donoghue, O'Mahony, Coombes.

Reserves: Barron, Kilcoyne, Salanoa, Hodnett, Kendellen, Casey, Scannell, Daly.