Northampton Saints 46 Clermont Auvergne 24
Northampton Saints kept their season, and quite possibly English hopes in the Champions Cup , alive after a hat-trick of tries by Tommy Freeman gave them enough of a cushion to ease past Clermont Auvergne.
The English champions’ title defence is all but over in the Premiership, but after scoring 34 unanswered points they booked their place in the quarter-finals. They will be strong favourites to reach the last four for a second season running when they host the winners of Castres v Benetton at Franklin’s Gardens.
Even if this season has not gone to plan, Northampton’s attacking play is still a joy to behold with England half backs Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith pulling the strings for winger Freeman, who took his tally of tries to nine in his last seven games while No 8 Juarno Augustus crossed twice. Flanker Henry Pollock also continued his hot form, winning five turnovers and scoring a try in another all-action display.
Unfortunately Saints’ victory was marred by a broken leg suffered by Clermont No 8 Fritz Lee who is one of the greatest players to have graced this competition over the past decade.
10:28 PM BST
Thanks for joining us
That brings to an end our coverage of Northampton Saint’s victory over Clermont Auvergne in the last 16 of the Champions Cup. Thank you for joining us!
10:27 PM BST
Dowson ‘delighted’ with performance
Northampton director of rugby Phil Dowson has said he is “delighted” with how his side performed this evening following recent defeats in the Premiership.
10:24 PM BST
WATCH: Freeman bags his hat-trick
10:20 PM BST
Northampton skipper on importance of Smith
Speaking to Premier Sports about Fin Smith’s impact on his return to the side, captain Fraser Dingwall said: “He’s a massive link part of our attack so I think you saw a lot of that.
“When we’ve got him in the middle it’s easy to connect to the other backs.”
On the role of the forwards this evening, he said: “Clermont are a team that pride themselves on their pack and their physicality, so I think we did a great job around matching that and actually just doing a bit of a job on them, which gave us a lot of speed in the game.”
10:15 PM BST
‘Classic Pollock’: Freeman on late Northampton try
Discussing Pollock’s late try, when either player could have scored it, Freeman joked: “Classic Pollock. No, fair play to him, he got himself in the right spaces and pinched it off me.
“He didn’t get one that game so I thought I’d give him one.”
10:10 PM BST
Northampton ‘needed reaction’, says Freeman
Talking to Premier Sports, Northampton’s hat-trick hero Tommy Freeman said: “Yeah we were obviously disappointed with the game against Leicester in the (Premiership).
“We definitely needed a reaction and we wanted to put in a performance here at home for us and the fans.
“We built against a good Sale side last week and just built on top of that for this European competition.”
On being able to watch the other teams this weekend, Freeman said: “Exactly that, it’s nice to have a double-weekend to sit back and relax and see who we get next week.
“But we’ll hit the ground running and hopefully give whoever it is a good go.”
10:04 PM BST
WATCH: Pollock gets in on the act
10:01 PM BST
Still to come this weekend
Saturday, 5 April
-
Toulon v Saracens (12:30)
-
Castres v Benetton (15:00)
-
Leinster v Harlequins (15:00)
-
La Rochelle v Munster (17:30)
-
Glasgow Warriors v Leicester Tigers (20:00)
Sunday, 6 April
09:59 PM BST
Up next for Northampton
Northampton will return to Franklin’s Garden next week for another home tie in the quarter-finals where they will face either Castres or Benetton, who meet tomorrow.
09:57 PM BST
Full time: Northampton Saints 46 Clermont Auvergne 24
The clock ticks into the red and Northampton are able to kick the ball into touch to seal a really impressive victory over Clermont and progress to the quarter-finals!
09:56 PM BST
79 mins: Northampton Saints 46 Clermont Auvergne 24
The ball runs loose following some poor handling from Clermont and Freeman starts to play football as he dribbles the ball towards the line.
Urdapilleta sweeps up well but is forced over his own try-line and the hosts have the scrum from five metres out. Clermont turn it over though and Bousquet goes on a marauding run down the right with a couple of kind-and-chases but the second dribbles out into touch.
09:50 PM BST
TRY! Pollock gets in on the act
Northampton Saints 46 Clermont Auvergne 24 (Pollock) Northampton get to within a couple metres of the line through a series of pick and goes following the line-out down the right.
The ball is then worked to the left to Smith who pulls off a delightful grubber-kick that dribbles towards the line. Freeman and Pollock are both chasing and either could score the try but it’s the latter who gathers and crosses.
Smith nails the conversion and surely Northampton are home and dry.
09:47 PM BST
71 mins: Northampton Saints 39 Clermont Auvergne 24
Northampton win the penalty at the scrum and Smith can find touch down the home side’s left, just inside the Clermont 22.
The home side string together a nice succession of passes with Pollock producing a particularly swift offload to work the ball from left to right before Clermont knock it on in the tackle.
TMO overturns it though, with replays showing it came off the head rather than the hands, so instead, it will be another line-out for Northampton.
09:41 PM BST
69 mins: Northampton Saints 39 Clermont Auvergne 24
Northampton get into the Clermont 22 but the visitors force the foul from Pollock in the breakdown and Urdapilleta’s kick finds touch just short of halfway.
Again, Clermont go for the sneaky line-out at the front but it’s quickly spilt and the hosts have another scrum.
09:39 PM BST
67 mins: Northampton Saints 39 Clermont Auvergne 24
The players are passing the ball among themselves as Lee is treated and eventually the Clermont skipper is taken off on a stretcher to a warm round of applause from Franklin’s Gardens.
Play resumes with a Northampton scrum on the edge of the Clermont 22.
09:35 PM BST
67 mins: Northampton Saints 39 Clermont Auvergne 24
Northampton win the foul at the breakdown on the edge of the Clermont 22 but there is concern here with the visitors’ captain Fritz Lee looking to be in real pain.
There are no replays being shown due to the severity of the injury and there is going to be quite a lengthy break in play here. The referee confirms there was no foul play as a stretcher is quickly brought on.
It sounds as if it’s a leg injury for the veteran who may well be playing his final game for Clermont here.
09:32 PM BST
67 mins: Northampton Saints 39 Clermont Auvergne 24
Mitchell and Hendy threaten down Northampton’s left but Iyogun spills it and after Clermont have a go at mounting an attack, play is eventually brought back for the knock-on.
Pollock is down for the moment but looks to just be a bit winded, perhaps from his own team-mate Langdon, but he will be okay to continue.
09:28 PM BST
TRY! Freeman bags his hat-trick
Northampton Saints 39 Clermont Auvergne 24 (Freeman) Mitchell does superbly to gather an awkward bouncing ball before Northampton work the ball out to Freeman towards the right.
The winger steps to the side past Raka to open up a huge amount of space to dart for the corner. A great finish as he bags his hat-trick.
The conversion isn’t there but the hosts will be happy to stop the momentum Clermont were building.
09:23 PM BST
TRY! Fainga’a reduces the deficit to 10 points
Northampton Saints 34 Clermont Auvergne 24 (Fainga’a) Pollock is penalised for an offside and Urdapilleta pulls off a superb kick to take his side right into the corner down their right flank.
The visitors maul superbly from the line-out to go go within a metre of the line before Fainga’a peels away and bundles over.
Belleau’s conversion sneaks it at the near post and suddenly Clermont are right back in this contest.
09:17 PM BST
TRY! Raka responds for Clermont
Northampton Saints 34 Clermont Auvergne 17 (Raka) Raka has half a yard on the left flank and shrugs off the challenge of Ramm before bursting past the remaining defenders to score an incredible solo effort.
The conversion is there and the deficit is back to 17. An instant response from the visitors!
09:13 PM BST
TRY! Augustus bags his second of the evening
Northampton Saints 34 Clermont Auvergne 10 (Augustus) Hendy claims the long kick before slicing through the Clermont defence with a sensational step.
The home side have a three-on-one and the winger opts to go to his left where Augustus is supporting and he is able to cross in the corner for his second try of the day.
Another excellent conversion from Smith.
09:12 PM BST
46 mins: Northampton Saints 27 Clermont Auvergne 10
Northampton knock it on in the tackle and Clermont have the scrum on the edge of the hosts’ 22 but once again Northampton are able to retrieve it as the ball pops loose to Mitchell.
Dowson’s men then come out on top from the Clermont line-out and can clear downfield.
09:08 PM BST
43 mins: Northampton Saints 27 Clermont Auvergne 10
Coles is, perhaps harshly, penalised for a knock-on as he competed for the kick from the restart but Northampton manage to come out on top from the scrum.
Smith can kick far downfield before Clermont find touch but the hosts give away the foul in the breakdown following the line-out as they work the ball inside.
09:06 PM BST
41 mins: Northampton Saints 27 Clermont Auvergne 10
We are back underway at Franklin’s Gardens with Clermont kicking things off going from left to right. Can the visitors get themselves back in this one or will Northampton pick up where they left off?
09:03 PM BST
WATCH: Mitchell’s tap-tackle before Freeman crosses down the other end
08:55 PM BST
Half-time: Northampton Saints 27 Clermont Auvergne 10
That conversion was the final action of what turned out to be a really impressive first half from Northampton. Work to do for Clermont to get themselves back in this.
08:53 PM BST
TRY! Augustus extends Northampton’s lead late in first half
Northampton Saints 27 Clermont Auvergne 10 (Augustus) Northampton kick for the corner for one last attack and how they make it pay!
It’s one off the training ground as they go long with the line-out where Kemeny palms the ball back inside to Augustus making the line-breaking run and he crashes over for a crucial try, late in this first half.
Smith converts this time and the hosts have a 17-point lead at the break!
08:50 PM BST
40+1 mins: Northampton Saints 20 Clermont Auvergne 10
Northampton earn a late foul but once again take it quickly before winning yet another foul as they attack down the left.
Before they can take it though, the referee goes back to show Belleau a yellow for not retreating. Replays show he got the wrong man though and it is in fact the scrum-half Bezy to make way. Clermont down to 13 for the closing stages.
08:47 PM BST
40 mins: Northampton Saints 20 Clermont Auvergne 10
Northampton give away a clumsy foul at the breakdown on halfway and Clermont can find touch on the 22 for a late attacking line-out.
It’s played short and back to the hooker Massa but his foot is in touch and the home side have the line-out. It’s worked to Smith who sells his man with a dummy before clearing far down the field.
08:44 PM BST
37 mins: Northampton Saints 20 Clermont Auvergne 10
Northampton, a matter of metres from the line, tap and go from the set-piece and work the ball left out to Mitchell who crosses with ease for what the hosts think is another try but there is going to be a TMO check.
The ball was spilt in the build-up and despite the initial decision of the referee that it went backwards, replays show that it went forward so a knock-on is called.
08:41 PM BST
33 mins: Northampton Saints 20 Clermont Auvergne 10
Smith’s deft kick through into the Clermont 22 puts pressure on the visitors as Hendy chases well. The ball is cleared but not far and Northampton look to attack with pace down the left but Pollock’s pass is wayward and out into touch.
The referee brings it back though for a Clermont offside and Ceyte sees yellow as well. That’s probably just the result of the amount of offsides from the visitors in quick succession.
08:36 PM BST
TRY! Freeman scores second try in quick succession
Northampton Saints 20 Clermont Auvergne 10 (Freeman) Northampton are able to shift the ball out to the left where they have a bit of space but Coles’ grubber-kick is clumsy and goes flying out into touch. Not the man you wanted on the ball there.
The hosts quickly turn it over though following the over-thrown line-out from Clermont and can work it out to the right with Dingwall spraying the final pass out to Freeman who has the space to cross in the corner for his second try in five minutes.
The ball falls off the tee with the clock running down meaning Smith has to rush the drop-goal attempt and it slices wide.
08:30 PM BST
TRY! Freeman gives the hosts the lead
Northampton Saints 15 Clermont Auvergne 10 (Freeman) Delguy shows incredible feet to slice through the Northampton defence and looks certain to cross in the corner but Mitchell pulls off an incredible recovering tap-tackle to deny the winger.
Northampton are able to clear up the pitch as the ball runs loose before Pollock forces the foul as Raka looks to bring it forward.
The youngster takes it quickly with the Clermont players still retreating and Northampton work the ball swiftly out to Freeman on the right and he crosses in the corner. A superb try from the hosts.
Smith misses from the tee for the first time this evening.
08:27 PM BST
22 mins: Northampton Saints 10 Clermont Auvergne 10
Clermont force the foul soon after the restart but Belleau’s kick is wide and that is met by loud jeers from the home fans as the visitors miss the chance to restore the lead.
08:25 PM BST
TRY! Smith takes Northampton level
Northampton Saints 10 Clermont Auvergne 10 (Smith) Some slick passing and powerful driving takes Northampton to within a couple of metres of the try-line down their left.
The ball is worked to Mitchell who sells the defence with a subtle double-pump before popping it off to his left to the onrushing Smith who crosses with ease in the corner.
Smith then converts superbly from out wide. The star-quality of Northampton’s England internationals on show there.
08:22 PM BST
18 mins: Northampton Saints 3 Clermont Auvergne 10
Northampton win another foul at the breakdown in Clermont’s half but Pollock takes it quickly and his pass is slightly too high resulting in a knock-on.
The hosts win the free-kick at the scrum though and can come back once again. They are quickly in Clermont’s 22 and piling the pressure on down the left.
08:19 PM BST
Penalty! Smith gets Northampton on the board
Northampton Saints 3 Clermont Auvergne 10 (Smith) Northampton win the foul shortly after the restart and kick for touch in Clermont’s 22 but they lose out at the line-out and waste a good chance.
They have another one though as Clermont’s clearance can only find touch just outside the 22. The ball is worked inside and the hosts win another foul at the breakdown and this time will go for the posts.
Smith steps up and converts from ease to get his team on the scoreboard from a central position.
08:16 PM BST
TRY! Moala crosses to extend Clermont’s advantage
Northampton Saints 0 Clermont Auvergne 10 (Moala) Clermont lose out in the Northampton 22 but win it back instantly and can keep the pressure on the hosts. The French side are forced back out the 22 but recycle it well before Newsome makes a line-breaking run to take them back within 10 metres.
After several phases of pressure, Clermont’s forwards string together a series of superb offloads and eventually Moala, who had been receiving treatment just moments before, is able to pick and go and cross under the posts.
Belleau converts and the advantage is up to 10 points now.
08:10 PM BST
8 mins: Northampton Saints 0 Clermont Auvergne 3
Northampton force the foul from the restart and following the scrum, Smith goes for the deft grubber kick towards the left corner but Raka is there and does well to adjust to an awkward bounce to gather.
Lee counter-rucks superbly following a long kick forward from Clermont and forces the knock-on from Mitchell.
08:07 PM BST
Penalty! Belleau gives Clermont the lead
Northampton Saints 0 Clermont Auvergne 3 (Belleau) Northampton have the scrum just in front of their try-line following the disallowed try but Clermont force the penalty and will kick for the posts from close range.
It’s Belleau who steps up and he converts from right under the posts. Northampton will probably be relieved to get away from that situation with just a three-point deficit.
08:05 PM BST
3 mins: Northampton Saints 0 Clermont Auvergne 0
Clermont win the turnover through Ceyte and the visitors have an early opportunity to kick for touch down their left for the attacking line-out.
Following a deft chip over the top of the defensive, Ramm sweeps up well to get there first as the ball bobbles towards the try-line but the ball runs loose and Lee is there to bundle over for an early score.
There is a TMO check though with Langdon appearing to have his hand on the ball and in control before Clermont forced it loose and the try is disallowed.
08:00 PM BST
1 min: Northampton Saints 0 Clermont Auvergne 0
We are underway at Franklin’s Gardens for this Champions Cup last 16 clash with Northampton and Smith kicking things off, going from left to right.
The referee for this evening’s clash is Andrew Brace of Ireland.
07:58 PM BST
Players out on the pitch
The players have emerged from the tunnel at Franklin’s Gardens to a superb reception from those in attendance and kick-off is just a couple of minutes away now.
07:55 PM BST
The men in charge this evening
07:50 PM BST
Kick-off approaching
We are just 10 minutes away from kick-off at Franklin’s Gardens. Will Phil Dowson’s men capitalise on earning a home tie and feed off the crowd in Northampton this evening?
07:47 PM BST
A reminder of the full Champions Cup last 16 fixture list
Friday, 4 April
Saturday, 5 April
-
Toulon v Saracens (12:30)
-
Castres v Benetton (15:00)
-
Leinster v Harlequins (15:00)
-
La Rochelle v Munster (17:30)
-
Glasgow Warriors v Leicester Tigers (20:00)
Sunday, 6 April
07:44 PM BST
Final thoughts from Fin Smith
07:41 PM BST
Domestic form
Defending Premiership champions Northampton are currently sitting eighth in the division, nine points adrift of Harlequins in seventh with five games to go.
Phil Dowson’s side missed the chance to close the gap in their last outing as they were narrowly beaten away at Sale Sharks. They have now lost their last three in the competition.
The visitors this evening are currency sitting sixth in France’s Top 14 table after their recent victory over La Rochelle ended a run of five consecutive league defeats.
07:38 PM BST
Pollock ‘world-class’, says Dowson
Northampton Saints director of rugby Phil Dowson described Henry Pollock as “world-class” after he scored a superb try in the defeat against Sale Sharks.
“He has that ability to both change the game and inspire the people around him,” Dowson told BBC.
“He can do things others can’t do - yes, [he is] world-class.”
Pollock suffered a late knock in last Friday’s game but Dowson confirmed this week he would be fit to start this evening.
Dowson said: “He’s fine. He and Burger both had dead legs but they’ve both trained fully this week.”
The 20-year-old will be looking this evening to build on his three tries from the pool stage of his debut Champions Cup campaign.
07:34 PM BST
European campaigns so far
Northampton’s Champions Cup started with a 38-8 home victory over Castres before a 30-21 win over Pretoria Bulls away from home a week later.
Phil Dowson’s side were beaten 45-35 away at Stade Francais but still went on to top the group thanks to their narrow 34-32 triumph at home to Munster.
Clermont’s campaign began with a 28-0 win at home against Benetton but they were beaten 15-7 a week later, away at Leinster.
A 40-21 defeat away at Bath left them needing victory in their final game of the pool stage but they clinched it in dramatic fashion, with an 87th-minute try earning them a 33-26 victory at home over Bristol.
07:30 PM BST
Pre-match thoughts from Dowson
Northampton Saints director of rugby Phil Dowson has told Premier Sports that his side are “looking forward” to this evening’s clash. Hear more from the Saints boss below.
07:27 PM BST
Previous meetings
Clermont have won seven of their previous eight matches against Northampton in Europe, including each of their previous two knockout meetings in the 2014/15 Champions Cup quarter-final and 2018/19 Challenge Cup quarter-final. The latter finished 61-38 to the French side.
07:23 PM BST
Northampton ‘love Europe’, says Dowson
Looking ahead to this evening’s clash, Northampton Saints director of rugby Phil Dowson said this week: “We don’t want to be desperate, we don’t want to be reckless, but we want to be right on the edge and right in their faces defensively.
“We’ve got to make sure we move the ball to space at appropriate times without trying too hard.
“We’ve got to trust our game plan because we know that if we put that on the pitch with the energy and intent that’s required then we’re a handful.”
He added: “I’m really looking forward to it.
“We love Europe as a club, we love Europe as a playing group, we want to have those experiences that we had last year.
“We know we’re going to have to play better than we have been, we understand the performance that’s required but it’s an exciting opportunity and we worked so hard for it.
07:19 PM BST
The scene in Northampton
Rolling out the green carpet ????????
The Investec Champions Cup knockout stages are in town for the second season running ???? pic.twitter.com/it7b69WEAV
— Northampton Saints ???? (@SaintsRugby) April 4, 2025
07:16 PM BST
‘Home crowd makes a difference’ says Dingwall
Northampton captain Fraser Dingwall told BBC this week: “Clermont pride themselves on how physical they can be, and set-piece dominance, and then they have talented backs so it’s a traditional French side.
“It’s a really exciting game. We worked hard in the group stages to earn ourselves a knockout game at home and hopefully we can grasp it with the performance and playing like we know we can do. The feeling of the crowd and how they can push behind us does make a difference.
“It’s the first knockout game we play this season and we want to get stuck into it.”
07:13 PM BST
Smith back in the team
England fly half Fin Smith is back in the Northampton side after being rested against Sale Sharks last Friday. Will his return see Phil Dowson’s men return to winning ways?
07:09 PM BST
At stake this evening
The winner of this evening’s tie will be rewarded with a home quarter-final clash against either Castres or Benetton, who meet on Saturday afternoon.
Should Northampton progress to the last four, they could face Premiership rivals Harlequins or Leicester Tigers, or set up a semi-final rematch from last year’s competition against Leinster.
07:04 PM BST
Full Champions Cup last 16 fixture list
Friday, 4 April
Saturday, 5 April
-
Toulon v Saracens (12:30)
-
Castres v Benetton (15:00)
-
Leinster v Harlequins (15:00)
-
La Rochelle v Munster (17:30)
-
Glasgow Warriors v Leicester Tigers (20:00)
Sunday, 6 April
06:59 PM BST
Premiership interest in Europe
Northampton are the only English side with a home tie after finishing top of Pool 3 but are joined in the last 16 by Saracens, Sale Sharks, Harlequins and Leicester Tigers.
Saracens appear to be prioritising domestic success as they rest key figures including Maro Itoje and Tom Willis for their away clash with Toulon.
Sale Sharks have their work cut out as they make the trip to defending champions Toulouse while Harlequins take on four-time winners Leinster.
Meanwhile, two-time European champions Leicester Tigers travel to Glasgow Warriors for a spot in the last eight.
06:54 PM BST
Those teams in full
Northampton: Ramm; Freeman, Odendaal, Dingwall (capt), Hendy; Smith, Mitchell; Iyogun, Langdon, Davison, Mayanavanua, Coles, Kemeny, Pollock, Augustus.
Replacements: Walker, West, Green, Lockett, Scott-Young, Pearson, James, Hutchinson.
Clermont Auvergne: Newsome; Delguy, Simone, Moala, Raka; Belleau, Bezy; Akhaladze, Massa, Ojovan, Simmons, Ceyte, Sowakula, Tixeront, Lee (capt).
Replacements: Fainga’a, Falgoux, Ala’alatoa, Hemery, Fischer, Bousquet, Urdapilleta, Fouyssac.
06:49 PM BST
Two changes for Clermont
There are two changes to the Clermont side that triumphed over La Rochelle last time out to end a run of five consecutive league defeats with Alex Newsome coming in at full-back, while prop Giorgi Akhaladze replaces Etienne Falgoux.
06:44 PM BST
Three changes for Northampton
England fly-half Fin Smith returns to the side as Northampton Saints make three changes following the Premiership defeat against Sale Sharks.
Temo Mayanavanua and Juarno Augustus also come back in but Northampton will continue to be without full-back George Furbank who has been out since December with a broken arm, despite hopes he would be back last month.
06:39 PM BST
Preview: Northampton host Clermont in season-defining last 16 clash
Good evening and welcome to live coverage of the Champions Cup last 16 as Northampton Saints host Clermont Auvergne at Franklin’s Gardens. Northampton enjoyed a successful pool stage, finishing top of Pool 3 after winning three of their four matches. In doing so, they became the only English side to earn themselves a home tie for the first round of the knockout stages.
Northampton’s impressive form in Europe has not translated to domestic success, however, with the defending Premiership champions currently sitting eighth in the division, nine points adrift of Harlequins in seventh with five games to go. Phil Dowson’s side missed the chance to close the gap in their last outing as they were narrowly beaten away at Sale Sharks.
The Premiership side will take confidence from their run to the semi-finals last year, though, and will be boosted by the return of Fin Smith, with the England fly-half among three players to come into the team following the defeat at the Salford Community Stadium last Friday.
They take on a Clermont side who scraped through to the knockout stages after finishing fourth in Pool 2 thanks to a dramatic 33-26 victory over Bristol in the final game of the pool stage, decided by an 87th-minute try. However, there will be no complacency from Dowson’s men given the French side finished above Bath and Bristol, the two sides currently occupying the top two spots in the Premiership.
The visitors this evening are currency sitting sixth in France’s Top 14 table after their recent victory over La Rochelle ended a run of five consecutive league defeats.
At stake for the winner of this evening’s tie is a home quarter-final clash against either Castres or Benetton, who meet on Saturday afternoon.
