Seven-try Leinster beat Northampton Saints 16-43

Northampton Saints 16-43 Leinster, Franklin's Gardens
Scorecard

Leinster ran a seven-try riot as they went on to beat Northampton Saints 16-43 in the third round of the Heineken Champions Cup at Franklin's Gardens on Saturday.

Northampton Saints are positioned second in Pool 1 as this is their first defeat of the tournament while Leinster with three continuos victories are at the top of the table.

Leinster got off to a terrific start as Jordan Larmour offloaded to James Lowe for the opening try in the second minute but the home side went on to level the scores with Ahsee Tuala's touchdown in the seventh minute.

A penalty kick from Dan Biggar put the Premiership side into the lead but it was short-lived as Rhys Ruddock crossed the whitewash in the 16th minute followed by a conversion from Sexton making the scoreline 10-14.

Back to back penalties from Biggar in the 27th and 31st minutes took Saints' tally to 16 points before Andrew Porter's try at the stroke of half-time ensured a three-point lead for the Irish's side at the end of the first half.

Leinster stepped up the gears early in the second half with Cian Healy strolling over the line and their momentum took a further boost when the Saints lost Alex Waller to sin-bin and Ross Bryne's try took Leinster's lead to 16-31.

The hosts had a chance when Leinster lost Garry Ringrose to sin-bin but were unable to score a point in the second half while Cian Healy's and Ed Bryne's tries ensured a 27-point win for Leinster.