NORTHAMPTON

kept alive their hopes of playing in the European Champions Cup next season with a hard-fought 21-15 victory over Connacht in the second play-off at Franklin’s Gardens.

Saints now face a home clash with Stade Francais on Friday, and the winners will take the last remaining place in next season’s competition.

Within a minute of the start, the Irish were hit with a double blow. First the hosts scored the opening try after Tiernan O’Halloran failed to collect an up-and-under from Groom. The ball ran loose for Luther

Burrell to set up the try for Mallinder.

Then the Irish lost left wing Cian Kelleher to injury, Matt Healy coming on in his place.

Mallinder converted from the touchline before Connacht drew level when wing Adeolokun collected a kick-through from Ronaldson to force his way over.

Ronaldson converted before Mallinder succeeded with a penalty to leave Northampton with a 10-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The home side lost Burrell, who limped off to be replaced by Rory Hutchinson, before Mallinder extended their lead with his second penalty.

Ronaldson replied with a penalty for Connacht before careless handling errors from Danie Poolman and O’Halloran gifted Saints a platform in the Irish 22 but the concession of needless penalties prevented the hosts from capitalising.

Northampton held a narrow 13-10 lead at the interval, which was when French referee Mathieu Raynal was forced to withdraw with an injury sustained in a hefty collision with Saints prop Alex Waller.

Northampton’s best period of the match followed, with a strong burst from centre Nafi Tuitavake bringing the crowd to its feet.

After 56 minutes, Saints scored the crucial try when Ahsee Tuala powered over the gain line to create the space for Groom to dart over.

The home side brought on Tom Wood for Teimana Harrison before Heffernan finished off a driving line-out.

A third penalty from Mallinder was enough to see Northampton over the winning line, despite a late yellow card for their flanker Jamie Gibson.