13th loss in row

CHRIS BOYD has demanded his Northampton side cut out the defensive errors after they suffered their 13th straight defeat — a 35- 19 Heineken Champions Cup pool reverse to Leinster at the RDS.

Despite tries from Fraser Dingwall, Tom James and Nick Isiekwe, an understrength Saints fell short thanks to scores from Josh Murphy, Cian Healy, Dave Kearney and Jamison Gibson-Park as Leinster recorded a bonus point win.

Boyd, Northampton’s director of rugby, said: ‘We made some defensive lapses, but I think generally the intent was really good. It probably didn’t show it on the TV and you wouldn’t have picked it up on the radio, but it was quite windy. It actually was quite difficult to play.

‘We haven’t lacked intent all year. We’ve just been inaccurate for periods of time. We know we have the capability. We just drop off the concentration and it costs us.’

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen said he would look again at a clash when Saints Tom Wood appeared to catch Josh Van Der Flier in the head area. Referee Pierre Brousset deemed it an accidental collision.