Proctor off to a flier for Saints
NEW ZEALAND centre Matt Proctor showed the All Blacks what might have been with two tries as Northampton went to the top of the Premiership.
The 27-year-old found this way to the international game barred by Sonny Bill Williams and the like but showed his pedigree here on debut with the first two of five Northampton tries.
He scored in the 18th and 28th minutes to put Saints 17-10 up and there was no coming back for Leicester.
Proctor played under Northampton director of rugby Chris Boyd at under-20 level and with the Hurricanes in New Zealand, and Boyd was not going to let him sign for anyone else.
Boyd said: ‘He was a one-Test All Black and he decided he was not going to go the World Cup. He decided to go overseas and his name appeared on an available list and as soon as I saw it I knew he was not going anywhere else. He’s a good acquisition for us.’
Northampton lost Courtney Lawes (hamstring), Dan Biggar (foot) and Owen Franks (hand) when they failed late fitness tests but they hardly missed a beat.
Tigers did briefly lead 10-7 before being overwhelmed.
Northampton lock Api Ratuniyarawa ran in the third from 20 metres out after more good work from Proctor and wing Tom Collins got the fourth, and the bonus point with 20 minutes left.
Leicester’s afternoon was summed up when they lost yet another a line out on their 22, Northampton moved the ball quickly down the back line and replacement centre Fraser Dingwall went over.
Leicester head coach Geordan Murphy said: ‘Northampton were better than us in every aspect. We didn’t really fire at all. They were quality and we were blown away today.’