Nightmare goes on for Mallinder in Europe
SAINTS director of rugby Jim Mallinder resembled a man with his rugby world caving in on top of him as Saints suffered their heaviest and most embarrasing defeat in Europe.
Rampant Leinster ran in nine tries to show their real trophy credentials while Northampton shipped their most points ever on a painful night in Dublin.
It was a tough Euro exit for Saints who had been crushed 37-10 by their Irish rivals at Franklin’s Gardens the week before and had arrived across the Irish Sea fearing the worst .... and they got it!
With just one win in four Champions Cup games, Saints lie at the foot of Pool 4 and can now concentrate on domestic matters.
In Dylan Hartley’s enforced absence, George Pisi led the side for first time but he was powerless as the home side dominated throughout.
After Saints briefly threatened an upset leading 13-7, the game soon changed direction with Leinster surging into a 29 -13 advantage and never looked back.
It took just four minutes for the Irish outfit to breech the Saints defence, moving the ball swiftly and cleanly along the line for young wing Adam Byrne to finish with style and skill before being tackled into touch.
If Saints were to compete well with their opponents it was crucial Stephen Myler had a good kicking night. His first, not too difficult penalty attempt, was fired well wide of the posts. But he soon had his sights realigned better and kicked two quick penalties as Saints competed well in the rucks to force the hosts into sinning.
The visitors had their noses in front and Leinster paid for turning down a penalty chance to try and kick for territory.
With the hosts camped on the Saints line, scrumhalf Ross Byrne’s pass was intercepted superbly by Pisi, and the centre charged virtually the length of the field for a try converted by Myler.
Sadly for Saints that was as good as it got. From then on Leinster decided to get serious and put their visitors to the sword.
Isa Nacewa kicked a penalty then poor Saints handling left the door open for Byrne to grasp a bouncing ball and race from inside his own half for his second try converted by Nacewa for a 22-13 lead.
The blue wave continued to cross the Saints line with prop Tadgh Furlong crashing over early in the second half for the fifth try.
Saints cause worsened with Jamie Gibson sinbinned for kicking the ball away at a scrum and Nacewa surged over for another score.
Replacement Rory O’Loughlin and Nacewa again strolled over for the final two tries.
Saints, lying in a lowly eighth in the Premiership table a full 11 points behind fourth placed Leicester, now need a drastic change in fortunes and turn things around on the domestic front with Sale Sharks visiting Frankin’s Gardens on Friday night.
They desperately need to find some kind of spark to reignite a season which is in danger of falling apart and costing their director of rugby his job.